An important mineral that supports healthy bodily function is chloride.
- It’s an essential electrolyte that supports blood pressure, volume, pH of bodily fluids, and the body’s acid-base balance.
- Additionally, chloride aids in controlling the kinds and quantities of fluids that enter and exit cells.
- Moreover, chloride: Promotes the stomach acid necessary for digesting
- Increases the activity of muscle and nerve cells.
- Helps cells’ internal exchange of carbon dioxide and oxygen.
- Aids in heart and muscle contraction.
- Aids in the communication (nerve impulses) that our nerve cells send from the brain to the body.
- Almost all foods include chloride in the form of added salt.
Foods including seaweed, rye, tomatoes, lettuce, celery, and olives have greater levels of chloride.
Table salt and salt found in prepared foods likely provide the majority of Americans with more chloride than they need. Chloride has a recommended dietary allowance (RDA) of 2.0 grams.
An electrolyte imbalance brought on by consuming excessive amounts of chloride can result in nausea, vomiting, cramping in the muscles, and confusion.