Much talk has happened recently regarding salt. We’ve probably all grown up with a salt shaker on the table, that probably contained something called Morton Ionized Table Salt. As you got older, you mostly likely heard in your high school health classes that salt is deterimental to your cardiac health. You might of even seen your parents use Mrs. Dash on their food in attempts to use less salt when flavoring their food. When I worked in the hospital I remember countless times bringing a patient their meal tray with Mrs. Dash packets instead of salt. So it’s no mystery that although salt is necessary in our diet, it needs to be limited. Salt can contribute to water weight and high blood pressure creating potential problems and harming our health. But is all salt one in the same? Does all salt harm our health in the same way traditional table salt can?
If you’ve been to the grocery store to buy salt in the last year you’ve probably seen more than just one option. On the shelves are Sea Salt, Pyramid Salt, Black salt, Himalayan pink salt, Keltic salt, Real salt…etc. As creatures of habit, most of us probably pick what we know unless there was a reason to try something new. Hard to take chances with something like salt, it is necessary to flavor so many of our meals. Can’t eat popcorn without it!
I’ve been using Himalayan Pink salt for a few years and completely love it! It is relatively inexpensive, tastes just like the table salt that I’m used to, and it is a pretty color. I switched to this salt after hearing the lack of nutrient value table salt offers compared to other less refined salts. So let’s talk Himalayan salt benefits…
Minerals are an important part of our health. Himalayan pink salt contains 84 minerals and trace elements. The body needs minerals and trace elements to operate properly and provide balance. Table salt falls short, it consist mainly of sodium chloride and chemicals like anti-caking agents to allow salt to flow smoothly out of a shaker. Himalayan pink salt also contains less sodium than traditional table salt, which can be helpful to those who need to limit sodium intake.
According to a clinical study, Himalayan Pink salt provided benefit in “normalizing of mineralization in the human body” and was “effective in helping to stabilize pH and Oxidative Stress numbers in the human body.”
One theory claims that a proper pH balance (more alkaline) is a way of fighting disease. Supporters of this theory believe that acidity is the mother of all diseases and that we can reduce acidity in the body and promote our health when we consume alkalizing foods. Himalayan pink salt is a food that promotes an alkaline environment in the body.
According to an article on globalhealingcenter.com, Himalayan pink salt offers benefits such as decreasing signs of aging, promoting bodily water levels, aiding in respiratory and sinus function, aiding in proper sleep, promoting bone health, and stabliizing blood sugar. I’ve never heard of table salt making such claims!
But there is one good thing about traditional table salt. It has added iodine. The government added iodine to promote health. One health benefit is it decreases the number of thyroid issue i.e. Goiters, an enlarged thyroid. But since I don’t have table salt in my home, I have to make sure my family and I consume iodine in another fashion. Sea weed is one food that is high in iodine. Since it’s not likely that my husband will ever let any sea weed near his mouth, I buy Braggs Sea Kelp delight. This seasoning is high in iodine and has a mild flavor. I add it to pastas, soups and salads often.
Now go on, go flavor your food with some Himalayan pink salt and add some minerals along with color and flavor to your plate!
Sources
- http://authoritynutrition.com/different-types-of-salt/
- http://www.himalayancrystalsalt.com/clinical-research.html
- http://www.globalhealingcenter.com/natural-health/himalayan-crystal-salt-benefits/
Eats for the Journey 