Why is sodium chloride used rather than sugar?
                                
                                
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                                    4 min read                                
                            
                                While both sodium chloride (salt) and sugar can inhibit microbial growth by reducing water activity, their distinct chemical structures dictate their specific applications. Salt's ionic nature and unique physiological roles make it irreplaceable in many areas where sugar simply cannot perform the same function, such as in electrolyte solutions and certain industrial processes.