With the spread of civilization, salt became one of the world's main trading commodities. Plus, it is by far the most important seasoning agent in the culinary arts. In fact, this substance, which is a mineral composed primarily of sodium chloride (NaCl), is one of the oldest and most ubiquitous food seasonings, not to mention that salting is an important method of food preservation. Despite the fact that consuming too much salt has always been associated with hypertension and heart disease, not getting enough of it can actually cause health problems including reduced hydration, muscle cramps, headaches, weakness and a higher risk of heart attack. So, make sure you never ditch it, provided you use it in moderation.