title: [Historical roles of salt].
abstract: Recently increasing evidence has been provided pointing to a close relation of salt consumption to hypertension as well as to target organ damage. It is interesting to note that the discussion concerning salt is unusually emotional. This may be explained, at least in part, by the fact that since ancient times salt had deep symbolic significance, as exemplified, mostly subconsciously, by many customs and expressions still in current use. In the past salt was essential to preserve food. The past importance of salt as a commodity can well be compared with that of oil today. These and further historical aspects of the role of salt are briefly dealt with in this article.
authors.affiliation: Medizinische Universitätsklinik Heidelberg. Prof.E.Ritz@t-online.de
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Ritz
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Ritz
mesh_terms: D049668:History, 15th Century; D049669:History, 16th Century; D006801:Humans; D010151:Paintings / Q000266:history*; D012965:Sodium Chloride / Q000266:history*
chemical_list: D012965:Sodium Chloride