Types of Salt: Is Himalayan Salt Healthier Than Table Salt?
Is Himalayan Pink Salt Really Better?
Let’s take a brief look at the salt types and history. There is a new controversy on the amount of salt (sodium) you should eat daily for heart health and the many healthy benefits of Himalayan Pink Salt.
Why Salt Matters
Sodium or salt is essential for our health. It helps the body maintain fluid balance, nerve function, muscle contractions, and helps with the transport of nutrients. Without it these functions wouldn’t perform as they should.
The History of Salt
Salt, or should I say white gold, was very difficult to get way back when. Animal meat or the blood of animals contained salt and many minerals, so the Nomads did not need to be supplemented with salt because their diet mainly consisted of eating their own flock or herd. As people became more developed, they became more agriculturists and began feeding on grains. Grains contain much less salt than animal meat, so the need to supplement salt in one’s diet has become necessary.
The value of salt as a preservative was also discovered, and with people now needing salt, Salt became highly valued, especially since it was very difficult to obtain. Salt was also heavily taxed and controlled by many governments. Can you imagine that wars were fought over salt? Rome then built roads to the sea to dry the seawater so they could produce their own salt. The Romans then transported their heavily taxed salt and used its income to fund their own government.
Salt was also accepted as a form of payment, leading to expressions like “Earning Your Salt.” Even the famous voyage of Christopher Columbus was financed from salt production. Some have even said that the French Revolution was due to the salt tax in France. Even Gandhi led thousands of people on a salt march for India to make their own salt, defying British Rule and the British Salt Tax, giving India some more independence from England. Our history is so amazing, even for Salt!
How Much Salt Should We Eat
According to the American Heart Association, you should limit the sodium in your diet, especially if you have hypertension. Recently, the American Heart Association has expressed that almost everyone should limit their intake of sodium to around 1,500 mgs per day because studies suggest that almost 90% of Americans will develop high blood pressure.
Most health organizations recommend limiting excess sodium intake, especially for people with high blood pressure. However, researchers continue to debate the ideal amount of sodium for optimal health. One thing most experts agree on is that highly processed foods are the largest source of excess sodium in modern diets.
Types of Salt
The various types of salt can come from salt mines, seawater, or spring water and are made up of equal parts of NaCl (Sodium Chloride). When mixed with water, it separates sodium and chloride. Salt is essential for our bodies because it is needed in our blood to activate cells and move nutrients around.
Table Salt
Table salt is highly refined and usually contains iodine and small amounts of anti-caking agents to prevent clumping. It is inexpensive, readily available, and commonly used in cooking and food manufacturing. Table salt is prepared by various drying and extraction processed.
Himalayan Salt
Himalayan pink salt is mined in Pakistan and gets its pink color from naturally occurring trace minerals, including iron compounds. It contains small amounts of additional minerals, although the overall sodium content is similar to other salts.
Sea Salt
Sea salt is produced through the evaporation of seawater and typically undergoes less processing than table salt. Depending on its source, it may contain small amounts of trace minerals. Sea salt is popular because of its texture and flavor, although nutritionally it is very similar to other salts.
Is Himalayan Salt Better?
Many people prefer Himalayan salt because of its flavor, texture, and minimal processing. Although it contains trace minerals, the amounts are relatively small. From a nutritional standpoint, the differences between Himalayan salt, sea salt, and table salt are fairly minor. The most important factor is the overall quality of your diet and avoiding excess sodium from ultra-processed foods.
Processed Foods Are the Bigger Problem
I don’t think the problem with salt is eating table salt or Himalayan salt. I don’t think the biggest issue is whether you choose table salt, sea salt, or Himalayan salt. The larger concern is the amount of sodium hidden in ultra-processed foods.
Practical Tips
Here are some suggestions to limit your excess salt.
- Cook more meals at home.
- Read your labels.
- Limit highly processed foods.
- Use other herbs and spices in lieu of salt.
- Season your food lightly.
- Choose the type of salt you enjoy!
Focusing on whole foods and preparing meals at home can help you naturally reduce excess sodium while supporting digestion, metabolism, and overall wellness. If you’re looking to build healthier eating habits, The Healthy Habits Challenge provides a simple step-by-step approach to creating habits that last.
Sources and More Information on Salt: