How onion helps in adjusting excess salt - Times Food (2024)

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How onion helps in adjusting excess salt - Times Food? ›

Add either raw or fried onion and it will soak the excess amount of salt.

Add an Acidic Ingredient

It won't reduce the sodium level of your dish, but adding an acidic ingredient, such as lemon juice, vinegar, or even a tomato product, can neutralize the saltiness of a dish. Start with a dash or a squeeze, stir well to combine, and give it a taste before adding any more.

Starchy foods like rice, pasta, quinoa, etc are salt absorbing machines. Add the cooked versions (unsalted) to your pan and simmer or bake them into the recipe with a splatter of liquid. They will easily absorb the excess salt and save your dish.

Sodium is essential for many body functions, but too much of it can be problematic and cause serious health concerns. If you're feeling bloated, puffy or like you've eaten too much salt, try increasing your water intake, adding more potassium to your daily diet, increasing physical activity and reducing added salt.

Add either raw or fried onion and it will soak the excess amount of salt.

Adding an acid, like lemon juice, can balance an abundance of salty flavor in food, but be careful of adding too much and destroying flavors. “You can add something acidic, such as lemon juice, lime juice, apple cider vinegar, or processed tomato products to foods to reduce the salty flavor,” says Edwards.

Lemon Juice

The juice has a strong presence of acidity that allows it to cut through the saltiness of most meals and as such, a balance is created. This method of reduction works best when the meal does not have too much sodium.

Is this piece of culinary folklore really true? Or is it like the idea that holding a slice of bread in your mouth when you chop onions will stop your eyes from watering? Well, potatoes don't pull salt out of anything. They do absorb water, though—and if that water happens to be salty, they'll absorb salty water.

Enjoy high-potassium foods regularly.

These include sweet potatoes, potatoes, greens, tomatoes and lower-sodium tomato sauce, white beans, kidney beans, nonfat yogurt, oranges, bananas and cantaloupe. Potassium helps counter the effects of sodium and may help lower your blood pressure.

What absorbs salt in food? ›

In addition to potatoes, you can use other starchy vegetables like carrots or parsnips to absorb excess salt. Dairy products like milk, cream, yogurt, or sour cream can help balance out the saltiness of a soup or stew.

Potassium-rich foods are an important part of a balanced diet and can help to lower your sodium levels. These foods include leafy green vegetables, fruits, beans, and nuts. They are low in sodium and high in potassium, which can help to balance out your sodium levels and keep your blood pressure under control.

Drink Lots of Water Drinking water can be a way to help remove excess salt that enters the body. When you drink a lot, a lot of water will also come out of the body and carry with it the excess salt. When you consume too much sodium, you can become dehydrated.

Drink Plenty of Water

This is because water helps the body flush out excess sodium. Not only is hydration important for managing sodium levels, but it is also important for overall health.

Lemon or lime juice or vinegar are all acidic and will tame the salt taste. Adding a creamy or fat component like yoghurt, sour cream or butter (unsalted) will also help to reduce overly salted flavours in your dish. With all of these methods, it is important to taste the dish while you attempt to fix it.

“Often, you can get rid of the salty taste by drinking enough water each day.” But if you have a heart or kidney condition, don't reach for a giant jug of water just yet. “People taking diuretics for heart or kidney disease may need to limit their water intake,” Dr. Medina cautions.