[彭蒙惠英语] 摆脱盐瘾(2)

Shakingour Saltaddiction (2/3)

Sodium looms as a dietary, but we love what it does to food

Salt addiction
But why do some of us have a hard time giving up our favorite seasoning? Dr. Gary Beauchamp has been truing to find out for the last 20 years. He is director and president of the Monell Chemical Senses Center in Philadelphia，a non-profit research institute that focuses on the science of taste and smell. His studies have explored how we detect salty tastes and the factors that influence how much we like salt.

Beauchamp said that we're likely born with a penchant for salt. An innate preference may
nod be evident in newborns，but by 6 months when "salt receptors" are more mature-babies have been shown to prefer a salty solution over plain water.

Some biological programming may be a factor but so is our environment. Beauchamp's studies have shown that you can retain your palate to like less salt. However，this takes time. People often experience "taste shock" when they suddenly switch to a lower-sodium diet，but after several weeks they adjust. At that point，old favorites may taste too salty，Beauchamp said.

Worth your salt
Unarguably, the body needs some salt. Both the sodium and chloride in salt are essential nutrients .The minerals help regulate the body's fluids and keep our muscles moving，including the heart.

Sodium and chloride are classified as electrolytes .That means they conduct electricity in the body，transmitting signals to muscles and nerves .Sports drinks contain electrolytes because these hard-working nutrients are lost in sweat.

Most table salt contains another nutrient: iodine .Salt was first fortified with iodine in the 1920s to help wipe out widespread iodine deficiencies，which cause thyroid disorders.

In food processing，salt does more than provide the salty taste we seem to crave .It serves as a preservative, regulates fermentation and enhances color，texture and "mouth feel" in foods .It also helps counter bitter tastes.

Vocabulary Focus

penchant   (n) ---a liking for, an enjoyment of,  or a habit of doing or consuming something 

fortify  (v) ---to strengthen or enhance something 

enhance  (v) ---to improve the quality,  amount or strength of something

Specialized Terms

essential nutrient (n phr) ---必要的营养素a substance which the body must have in order to live, grow and function normally,l but which cannot be produce d by the body

electrolyte  (n phr) ---电解质a substance，　usually a liquid, that electricity can go through or that breaks into parts when electricity goes through it

        

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