De ‘condimento vital’ a ‘veneno’: sobre el consumo de sal idóneo en la dieta desde la Antigüedad clásica a nuestros días

Abstract

In 1572, the first monograph on the ‘white gold’ of the Early Modern Period was published in Europe. It constitutes a true essay on diet and health – both physical and mental- in which a moderate use of salt is put forth following geometrical proportions. Thus, basing on this original commentary written in Latin by the Spanish humanist Bernardino Gómez Miedes, texts from different historical periods which make reference to the use and consumption of salt will be examined. The readers will find out that, after centuries during which it was considered a vital and divine seasoning, nowadays salt is regarded as one of the most harmful ‘white poisons’ in human diet. However, some recent medical studies seem to confirm the views of Greco-Roman authors and humanists while questioning this ruthless modern condemnation against a substance of core importance to mankind.