Nov 16 2019

SYSK Selects: How Salt Works

Selects 43 min 2 movies discussed
Listen

A Roman senator once said, "Mankind can live without gold, but not without salt." Right he was. The human body needs salt so much we have developed a taste for it specifically. But too much salt can be toxic. Learn about salt's role in human history and how we get it from the Earth in this classic episode.

AI Summary

# Stuff You Should Know - Salt Episode Summary

Josh and Chuck dive deep into the fascinating and surprisingly dramatic history of salt, exploring why this humble mineral has shaped civilizations, sparked revolutions, and remains essential to human survival. From salt's role in Gandhi's independence movement and the American Civil War to the chemistry of how it preserves food and regulates our bodies, the guys cover everything you never knew you needed to know about everyone's favorite seasoning. They break down the different types of salt you can cook with, the science of electrolytes and blood pressure, and why the Morton Salt Girl has been pouring salt into our hearts since 1911.


Movies Discussed

Idiocracy
Idiocracy
2006 1h 24m
★ 6.4
"You don't want to water your cropland with it, though, as we found from the movie Idiocracy. — Referenced as an example of the consequences of using electrolyte-rich water on crops instead of plain water." — Chuck
The Hangover
The Hangover
2009 1h 40m
★ 7.3
"Just remember in the Hangover episode, why drugs are so fatal when you drink a lot of alcohol. — Referenced to explain how kidneys process substances and keep excess salt in the bloodstream." — Chuck

💬 Comments

Log in to leave a comment.

No comments yet. Be the first!