Salt is a magical substance. It reduces bitterness, enhances sweetness, boosts flavor, and preserves perishable foods. Without it, we would die: the human body can’t make sodium, but our nerves and muscles don’t work without it. It was considered rare until quite recently, so it’s hardly surprising that, throughout history, salt has been the engine behind em ... Show More
Oct 7
Everything You Know About Metabolism Is Wrong
If you’ve heard of metabolism, you’ve probably heard endless tips and tricks to boost it, from working out to drinking green tea. The idea is that a slow metabolism leads to weight gain, and speeding it up makes it easier to shed pounds. But what if we told you that metabolic rat ... Show More
48 m
Sep 23
Durian Delight and Feijoa Fun: Adventures in Banned, Forgotten, and Unusual Fruit
This week on Gastropod, a feast of fruits! Specifically, feijoa and durian—and, if you haven’t heard of either, you’re not alone. Unlike the ubiquitous strawberry or banana, durian and feijoa are only popular in a handful of countries and almost unknown in the US, and we wanted t ... Show More
50m 46s
Sep 2023
Should you be reducing salt in your diet?
Salt is a common ingredient in many foods, and it’s essential for our health. Salt is made up of sodium and chloride, two minerals that help regulate fluid balance, blood pressure, nerve and muscle function. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), adults should consume ... Show More
4m 15s
Jan 2022
Are Different Types of Salt Really That Different?
Table salt, Kosher salt, sea salt, pink salt -- it may all be sodium chloride, but you can't always directly substitute one kind of salt for another in recipes. Learn why in this episode of BrainStuff, based on these articles: https://recipes.howstuffworks.com/food-facts/differen ... Show More
6m 13s
Jan 2024
Should We Be Worried About Salt?
How many times have you heard that we need to cut down on salt? But... do we actually? What does the science say about salt, our health, and who needs to worry about it? Is pink salt healthier than white salt? Is there such a thing as too low-sodium? In this episode, we chat with ... Show More
32m 49s
Jun 2024
Salt Mysteries: Unraveling Why the Sea Is Salty
Dive into a salty adventure with "English for Kids"! In this exciting episode, we're joined by Dr. Marina, a marine biologist, to explore the intriguing question: Why is the sea salty? From the journey of minerals from rocks to our vast oceans, to the crucial role salt plays in m ... Show More
5m 34s