Contrary to what many think, salt plays an important role in our health. Salt is vital to the body, as it passes nutrients to our cells. It also aids in proper digestion, regulates muscle contractions, and helps with nerve stimulation. Too much salt can lead to high blood pressure, which increases the risk of heart attack and stroke. However, a diet too low in sodium may increase the risk for cardiovascular disease. According to the New York Times, a study was done that showed those who consumed less than 3 grams of sodium daily had a 26% increased risk for cardiovascular problems compared to those who consumed 4-5 grams daily. Salt is also a key factor when it comes to exercise. It not only prevents muscle cramps, but also helps you stay better hydrated by retaining the water in your body.

Why We Use Salt

In our granola we use Morton Kosher salt, which is a coarse-grained compound composed of sodium chloride. Morton Salt has been around since 1848 and is still a leading salt manufacturer in the US. Many processed foods use salt for preservation and shelf life purposes, but we use it for flavor. It enhances the taste of the honey and roasted pecans in our granola. According to the FDA, our granola is a low sodium food option. Low sodium is considered 140mg of sodium or less, per serving.

How Salt is Made

There are three ways to produce salt: the solar method, the evaporation method, and rock mining. The salt we use is made by the evaporation method, which is the evaporation of salt brine by using steam heat. At an evaporation site, water is pumped into an underground salt deposit. Once the salt dissolves, it is pumped to the surface as saturated brine. The brine is boiled and salt crystals fall to the bottom of a vacuum pan, which are then dried and packaged. This method yields a very high purity and high quality salt. The salt used at The Granola Factory is sourced from evaporation sites in the US and Canada.