Salt is something most of us use to season our food on a daily basis. Moderation has been suggested and many fret about the amounts they consume. However, salt is very important for our health and shouldn’t be completely omitted. We just need to get it right.

Unfortunately, regular table salt, most commonly found in kitchens and restaurants around the wo
rld, has little in common with natural salt. This salt is usually highly refined. It’s almost pure sodium chloride (97% or more), with added chemicals, such as absorbents and anti-caking agents. But there are other types of salt such as sea salt and pink Himalayan salt which has incredible health benefits.

Himalayan Salt

Himalayan salt is often marketed as coming from a non-polluted area deep in the Himalayas. The salt is actually harvested at the foot of the Himalayas, in a rock salt mine in Pakistan, which is considered to be the second largest mine in the world.

Himalayan salt, known as ‘white gold’ in its region of origin, contains 84 natural elements and minerals that are vital to our health, including magnesium, potassium, calcium, chloride, phosphorus and iron. The salt’s signature pink colour is a result of a tiny amount of iron oxide (rust). Zinc, selenium, iodine and copper are also present in trace quantities.

Generally speaking, Himalayan salt is considered a healthy salt because no chemicals or additives are added to it, and it’s a naturally occurring substance.

Usually, this salt is sold as coarse grains, but you can also find it finely grained or as large blocks, which can be used as a unique way to serve your culinary specialties. No matter the form, the prized mineral benefits are always there.

Himalayan salt (further referred to as HPS) over its store-bought counterpart.

Some of the major benefits of Himalayan salt;

Mineral Soak

Salt and mineral baths are a great way to relax at the end of the day while simultaneously infusing the skin and body with minerals and hydration.  Through the process of dermal absorption, skin soaks up minerals from the water – often better than if the same minerals were consumed internally.  Because it contains so many of the different minerals our bodies need to stay healthy, when it comes to the best things to put in your bath water,  Himalayan pink salt is at the top of the list.

Detoxification

When HPS is added to a bath of warm (preferably about the same as body temperature) water, it not only provides much needed nutrients to your body.  Himalayan pink salt also works as a powerful detoxifier.  When dissolved in water, HPS becomes an ionic solution that helps to draw the toxins out of skin and adipose tissues.  This process combined with the healing mineral infusion offered by a good Himalayan pink salt soak will leave you feeling refreshed and energized.

Lower Blood Pressure

Because of its high sodium content, saying that Himalayan pink salt has the ability to lower your blood pressure makes a lot of people skeptical.  After all, we’ve been told our whole lives that too much salt makes your BP skyrocket, but do a little digging and you will find that there are holes in the research on this topic.  That said, when all natural HPS is used in lieu of (but not more than) processed NaCl table salt, your body actually has an easier time processing the minerals.  Your system won’t need as much water to clear out the excess sodium, therefore you won’t retain as much water, and your body won’t have to work as hard.  Remember that natural is always better than processed and the same holds true for salt.  So swap out that old salt shaker for a Himalayan pink salt grinder.

Clean your Sinuses up

If you’ve ever used a Neti pot then you know how well salt water can work to clear up your sinuses.  Try using HPS saline in your pot for an even healthier cleanse.  Himalayan pink salt kills bacteria and bonds to many contaminants that may be stuck in your nasal cavities due to breathing polluted air.  Alternately, if you don’t like the idea of running water through your nasal cavities, you can also use this Himalayan crystal salt inhaler to cleanse your respiratory system.

Improve Digestion

Nutrients in HPS can actually increase the ability of our gastrointestinal tract to absorb other nutrients.  For this reason, trading your shaker of table salt for Himalayan pink will help you to better digest your food.  Better digestion means you’ll feel less hungry which – especially for those wanting to shed a couple of extra pounds each week – is very good news, indeed!

Strengthens the Body

Many of the minerals found in HPS are also vital for the human body to maintain strong bones and connective tissues, as well as proper muscle regeneration and blood circulation.  If you are prone to chilled extremities, arthritis, broken bones, or even mental fatigue – regular use of Himalayan pink salt to season your food may be just what you need to jump start your body back to good health.

Balance your PH

If your pH number is lower, it means you are a little more acidic than you should be, which can cause numerous health problems.

On the flip side, your pH could be higher than normal (6.5 is the best pH number and it can vary between 6.5 and 7.5).

Excess acid in the body can be neutralized wit just one teaspoon of salt and some water. HPS helps against pH imbalance as well as kidney stones and health problems.

Here are two more benefits of HPS you should know about:

• Promotes good sleep
• Helps improve vascular health

 

Himalayan Salt vs Table Salt

Table salt is highly processed and this practice destroys its beneficial trace minerals and elements. When salt is turned into sodium chloride, your body experiences it as an invader and wants to get rid of it. But, it is difficult to dispose of it in a natural way, so table salt causes tissue irritation, water retention and consequently, high blood pressure. When consuming regular salt, our bodies waste tremendous amounts of energy to keep the fluid balance.

Studies have shown that for every gram of sodium chloride (table salt) you ingest, your body will use about 20 times the amount of cellular water to neutralize it. This water drainage can lead to different conditions, including rheumatism, arthritis, gout, kidney and gall bladder stones, and cellulite.

Himalayan crystal salt, on the other hand, doesn’t burden the body. It’s easily metabolized and results in no energy loss. On the contrary, this salt helps the body energize and has a beneficial effect on the function of the nervous system.