Salt, a crystalline mineral primarily composed of sodium chloride (NaCl), is an essential substance widely used in cooking, food preservation, and industrial processes. It occurs naturally in seawater and is mined from salt deposits or evaporated from brine pools. Salt is a critical component in human and animal diets, helping to regulate fluid balance, nerve function, and muscle contraction. It is available in various forms, including table salt, sea salt, kosher salt, and Himalayan pink salt, each with distinct textures and flavors. Despite its benefits, excessive consumption of salt is linked to health risks such as hypertension and heart disease.