Comparable to table salt chemically is pink Himalayan salt. It contains up to 98% sodium chloride. Trace elements including calcium, magnesium, and potassium make up the remaining salt. It is these elements that give the salt its pink colour. In this article, we talk about Himalayan pink salt health benefits.
These minerals also explain why Himalayan salt tastes different from ordinary table salt.
How is it used?
Himalayan salt is use in the same way as ordinary table salt. It is used to cook, season and preserve food.
Pink salt cubes are sometimes used to make kitchen utensils, baking surfaces and cutting boards. Some people also use Himalayan salt as an alternative to bath salt. You can also buy lamps and candlesticks made from pink salt.
Why does the body need salt?
Sodium is an important trace element in salt. The body needs it for different functions.
It keeps
- Muscle contraction and relaxation
- Maintains a balanced fluid balance and prevents dehydration
- Transmits impulses to the nervous system
- Preventing low blood pressure
Recent studies have shown that salt intake can reduce the risk of infection and destroy harmful bacteria.
Based on animal studies, researchers have concluded that salt may have a positive effect on depressive symptoms.
Benefits and myths
Several claim have been made about the health benefits of pink salt. These claims include the following
Rich in minerals
Some sources claim that Himalayan pink salt contains up to 84 different trace minerals.
Since it contains up to 98% sodium chloride, this means that only about 2% of these trace minerals are present. Given the relatively small amount of salt that humans typically consume and the low content of these minerals in salt, it is unlikely that salt has any measurable or significant health benefits.
Low sodium
Some people believe that Himalayan salt contains less sodium than ordinary table salt. However, both types of salt contain about 98% sodium chloride.
The American Heart Association (AHA) recommends that more than 75% of sodium intake should come from salt in processed and prepared foods. Table salt is not high in sodium.
More natural salt
Some people claim that Himalayan salt is more natural than table salt. The validity of this claim seems to be mixed. Table salt is usually highly refined and salt preservative such as sodium aluminosilicate or magnesium carbonate are added to prevent salt build-up.
Risks and precautions
The following information should be taken into consideration when using Pink Himalayan Salt.
Iodine intake
Iodine is an essential mineral for normal thyroid function and cellular metabolism. Fish, seafood, dairy products and eggs are good sources of iodine.
Another common source of iodine is iodized salt. About 75 percent of American households use iodized salt.
Pink Himalayan salt originally contains iodine, but its iodine content may be lower than that of iodized salt. Therefore, people who are iodine deficient or at risk of iodine deficiency should obtain iodine from other sources if they use pink salt instead of table salt.
Sodium intake
Sodium is essential for life, but it is important to control the intake of salt in any form. Small amounts of sodium are need, but too much can have a negative impact on health.
People with kidney disease, heart disease, liver disease or who are on a low sodium diet should monitor their sodium intake and limit all types of salt, including Himalayan salt.
Excessive sodium intake
The 2015-2020 Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommend a daily sodium intake of less than 2,300 milligrams (mg). This is equivalent to about 1 teaspoon of table salt per day.
People with high blood pressure should limit their sodium intake to 1,500 mg per day. Consult a dietitian to find out what your diet should look like in order to limit your sodium intake.
Salt contains 40% sodium. When monitoring your sodium intake, it is useful to know how much sodium is contain in a certain amount of salt.
A certain amount of salt contains the following amounts of sodium
- 1/4 teaspoon of salt. 575 mg of sodium.
- 1/2 teaspoon of salt. 1150 mg of sodium.
- 3/4 teaspoon of salt. 1,725 milligrams of sodium.
- 1 teaspoon of salt. 2,300 mg sodium.
Most people consume more than this.
When people consume more sodium than they need, the kidneys try to excrete the extra sodium in the form of urine. If the kidneys cannot excrete enough sodium, sodium begins to accumulate in the fluid between cells called interstitial fluid.
High sodium intake is associate with serious health problems, including
- high blood pressure
- Heart disease
- Strokes
- Liver disease
- Osteoporosis
- Kidney disease
A 2015 study showed a direct link between salt intake and obesity. It conclusively show that an increase in salt intake of 1 gram per day was associate with an increase in salt intake.
Finally
Our website standard salts is one of the leading manufacturers, suppliers and exporters of Himalayan salt products in Pakistan. Pakistani Himalayan Pink Salt has proved to be the best alternative to traditional table salt as it is more easily digestible by the human body and offers many health benefits to the consumers. Therefore, it is the best choice to obtain several benefits for general human well-being.