salt does dehidrate u if u have to much. its fucntion in the body helps make mucus and tears n the other function i dont quite no yet.

From http://homecooking.about.com/library/weekly/aa042202a.htm : ---------------- "It's an established fact that salt is essential to the body, performing the function of turning carbohydrates to fat, ridding the body of carbon dioxide and is necessary for heart and muscle contractions. Salt is necessary for the body to produce digestive acids, stimulate the liver and helps get rid of gas. " ------------------ From http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edible_salt#Health_effects : ---------------- "Sodium is one of the primary electrolytes in the body. All three electrolytes (sodium, potassium, and calcium) are available in unrefined salt, as are other vital minerals needed for optimal bodily function. Too much or too little salt in the diet can lead to muscle cramps, dizziness, or even an electrolyte disturbance, which can cause severe, even fatal, neurological problems. Drinking too much water, with insufficient salt intake, puts a person at risk of water intoxication. Salt is even sometimes used as a health aid, such as in treatment of dysautonomia. People's risk for disease due to salt intake that is too low or too high varies, due to biochemical individuality. In fact, some have asserted that while the risks of consuming too much salt are real, the risks have been dramatically overhyped for most people, or that the studies done on the consumption of edible salt can be interpeted in many different ways."

Salt does dehydrate the body.Natural salt found in vegetables and fruits are good for the body and provide electrolights.Paul Bragg,a nutritionalist talks about salt in one of his books(I recommend you read his books)and says that table salt should never be used.He was healthy all of his life and died at 103 in a surfing accident.He has done exhaustive studies on the bad effects of added salts to our diet.Myself I cook all my food from scratch and use no added salt,and have never felt better.I do not used processed foods for they contain an excessible about of salt.Salt is actually a mineral,and not a spice.I found that after I eliminated table salt from my diet that for the first time I could taste the incredible flavours of food.Nutitionally the only salt we need to sustain our bodies is natural salt found in foods.