Name: Can gargling Saltwater cure Sore Throat? | #aumsum
Uploaded: 2019-08-05T06:35:43.000Z
Duration: 4 min 24 s
Description: Gargling with saltwater is a common method to treat sore throat. But it is important to note that it doesn\'t cure sore throat, it just provides some relief.\nA...

Gargling with saltwater is a common method to treat sore throat.

But it is important to note that it doesn't cure sore throat.

A sore throat is usually caused by bacterial or viral infection.

This infection activates our immune system due to which.

Immune cells, blood and plenty of fluids reach the site.

But how does gargling with saltwater provide relief?

Lower concentration of solute to higher concentration of solute.

Now in saltwater, the amount of solute, that is salt.

Is relatively higher than the salt present in the tissues of our throat.

So, when we gargle, the excess fluid rushes out of our tissues.

Reducing swelling and thus, easing out the pain.

Before explaining the how part, let's first understand why we cough.

Which helps us clear our breathing passage of dust, microbes, irritants, etc.

There are two types of cough, wet and dry.

They maybe caused due to common cold, flu, allergies, smoking, etc.

When anything irritates our breathing passage, our brain activates the cough response.

First of all, we gasp in, a large volume of air into our lungs.

Next, the epiglottis closes off the windpipe.

Then, the rib and abdominal muscles contract, putting pressure on the lungs.

But, as the windpipe is closed, the air can't move out, so pressure builds up.

Finally, the epiglottis opens and air forcefully rushes out.

Carrying the irritant and thus, producing a cough.

Salt which is basically sodium chloride makes almost everything taste better.

Whether it is French fries, certain fruits, curries or even cookies.

We like at least a little salt in all these foods.

We have evolved to like salt maybe because our bodies need salt for survival.

Sodium present in salt, maintains our blood pressure, transmits nerve impulses, etc.

Whereas, chloride is used to produce hydrochloric acid in our stomach.

Hence, to obtain salt, we have gradually developed a taste for it.

Thus, salt in food makes it appealing and tasty.

In addition to this, it is found that salt suppresses bitterness better than sugar.

Some researchers suggest that salt neutralizes the bitter tongue receptors.

While some suggest that on adding salt, the brain interprets the taste as less bitter.

Several natural processes make ocean water salty.

The water droplets react with carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.

And form carbonic acid, making rainwater slightly acidic.

This acidic rainwater reacts with minerals present in the rocks.

These minerals and salts are then carried by flowing water to the oceans.

Along the mid-ocean ridges, magma rises close to the oceanic crust.

Here, when the salty ocean water seeps into the earth's crust.

This hot water dissolves more minerals present in the crust.

And carries them to the oceans through fissures called hydrothermal vents.