Himalayan salt is gaining popularity rapidly due to the multiple health benefits it serves and its unique taste. According to research, this pure salt contains additional nutrients and minerals that any other salt might lack.
Have you ever contemplated its use but hesitated due to your lack of trust in the salt and its potential benefits? If that’s the case, you’ve come to the correct place. In this post, we shall discuss Himalayan salt and other essential details about it to give you a brief idea about this ingredient.
Himalayan Salt: What is it?
Also referred to as Himalayan Sea Salt, Himalayan Crystal Salt, Rock Salt, and Pink Salt, Himalayan salt is a salt with a very different taste. In ancient times, the salt was used for preserving fish and meat.
Pink salt has its origin in Punjab, Pakistan, which is around 190 miles far from the Himalayas. It is one of the richest salt fields globally, dating back to the Precambrian age. The pink salt is obtained from salt mines that are 5,000 feet underneath the Himalayan mountain range. For millions of years, this mountain range has experienced remarkable pressure, and hence, the salt obtained from here is around 99% pure.
The Himalayan salt can be red, pink, or white in color, depending on its mineral content. The pink salt is inclusive of around 84 minerals and other essential elements like iron, copper, potassium, magnesium, and calcium. However, it should be noted that as the salt is hand-harvested, the mineral composition of each batch is unique from each other.
What are the benefits of Himalayan salt?
Salt is very essential for the body. It is important for the blood and various other body fluids like urine, semen, sweat, and even tears. Salt helps the body retain water and prevents it from dehydration, which can lead to blood pressure issues and even death.
Now that you know why salt is important for your body, let’s learn about the benefits of Himalayan salt.
1. Pink Salt Helps in balancing the pH levels
Pink salt is rich in several minerals that are essential in balancing the pH levels of the body. When the pH level is healthy that is, has a balanced acid-to-alkaline ratio, it has a major impact on the overall health. A balanced pH level boosts immune health and also encourages good digestion. Pink salt is rich in sodium and other electrolytes that help balance the pH levels in the blood.
2. Himalayan Salt provide relief in respiratory issues
Himalayan salt caves have a stable air temperature, zero pollen, high humidity levels, and essential minerals like calcium, magnesium, and potassium. All these particles help with anti-inflammatory and antibacterial features. Again, it also facilitates the movement of mucus and reduces immunoglobin E levels. Hence, pink salt can be helpful in respiratory issues like chronic bronchitis, bronchiectasis, sinusitis, modest asthma, COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease), and many more.
3. Helpful in digestive system problems
When your diet lacks adequate salt, it results in a reduction of HCL (hydrochloric acid) in the stomach. When the stomach acid reduces, it harms the digestive system, leading to issues like constipation, vomiting, stomach pain, and heartburn. On the other hand, when the body has sufficient HCL levels, it helps the body to absorb essential minerals and vitamins like folate, vitamin B12, iron, zinc, and calcium. Having an adequate amount of pink salt daily can help in solving constipation issues.
4. Eliminates the chances of dehydration
Sodium is one of the essential fluids that can eliminate the chances of dehydration, mainly during prolonged exercises. When pink salt is consumed in moderate quantities daily, it helps to maintain the sodium and sodium-potassium levels in the body. Both the electrolytes ensure proper fluid balance in the cells of the body, extracellular fluid, and blood plasma. This eliminates the chances of dehydration in the body and keeps the body hydrated.
5. Promotes several body functions
Pink salt is rich in sodium, which is important for the functioning of the nervous system, muscles, and brain system. Sodium regulates the fluid balance in the body and also communicates electrical indicators in the body. Without this communication, the nervous, muscular, and brain systems wouldn’t work, leading to malfunction. Hence, pink salt is important for the functioning of various systems in the body.
What are the Side Effects of Himalayan Pink Salt?
Talking about the risks of Himalayan salt, iodine deficiency, and high sodium intake are the two risks one needs to consider.
Iodine is very important for the proper functioning of thyroid and cell metabolism. Iodine is added to the salt when the salt is processed. However, pink salt isn’t processed, and hence, it lacks iodine. So, if you consume only pink salt, the chances of iodine deficiency are high.
On the other hand, high consumption of pink salt can lead to health issues like stroke, heart issues, high blood pressure, liver damage, autoimmune diseases, kidney issues, and osteoporosis.
What are the uses of Himalayan salt?
Now that you know the benefits and side effects of pink salt, here is how you can use it to obtain its benefits.
1. For seasoning and cooking
Pink salt is widely used in cooking delicious meals. It also works as a flavor enhancer for dishes like grilled meats, roasted vegetables, and salads. It is also used in cooking fast food items during special occasions like Navratri in the name of Sendha namak.
2. For making beauty products
To your surprise, pink salt is also used in several DIY beauty products like facial toners, salt scrubs, and bath salts.
3. Salt Lamps
Last but not least, pink salt is popularly used in making Himalayan salt lamps that serve properties like air purifiers, mood enhancers, etc.
Final Words
Himalayan salt surely serves several health benefits and can be used in the same quantity as table salt or any other salt type. It is not only great in taste but also serves with necessary minerals. However, there is no proof that it is healthier compared to other salts like table salt, flake sea salt, dead sea salt, Hawaiian sea salt, kosher salt, Celtic sea salt, etc. Hence, consuming it in moderate quantity is highly advised.
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