Common edible salt, composed of sodium chloride NaCl (table salt), is the combination of the cation (Na+) and anion (Cl-). Salt is found naturally in seawater, in mineral deposits and in natural bodies of water (lakes, streams). Salt can be mined from underground deposits, either by rock salt mining or vacuum evaporation. It can be evaporated from seawater (sea salt) or other bodies of water.
Two of the most prevalent ions in seawater are chloride and sodium. Together, they make up over 90% of all dissolved ions in the ocean. Human body contains about 250gms of salt (3 or 4 full salt shakers). Salt comprises 40% sodium and 60% chloride.
Salt has been divided primarily into 4 basic types i.e. table salt, sea salt, kosher salt and rock salt. The first three types are food grade salt which as per FDA should contain at least 97.5% Nacl and 2.5% trace minerals:
E.g. iodine when added to salt it is called iodized salt which is used to cure thyroid gland dysfunction called goiter. Deficiency of iodine especially in children leads to a lowered production of thyroxin hormone from the thyroid gland called as hypothyroidism. To get sufficient iodine, thyroid gland starts increasing in size called as goiter. Iodine deficiency can also lead to mental retardation.
When iron is added along with iodine to salt, it is called double fortified salt for treating iron deficiency anaemia. Sometimes folic acid is also added to salt, which is especially beneficial for pregnant women to prevent neural tube defects and anaemia.
In India black salt (a type of sea salt) is used widely in homes especially during digestive problems and is known to have therapeutic properties. But it also has to be purified as there can be presence of heavy metals and other pollutants commonly found in the sea.
When we compare the micromineral makeup of the salts, we can see that salts like Himalayan or sea salt are rich in minerals. Where sea and Himalayan salts are rich in calcium & magnesium; Himalayan & table salt are rich in potassium.
But please understand that these trace minerals are way too little to really matter, and to have the daily recommended limit of the minerals, you would have to take in huge amount of salt, which as such is extremely unhealthy. For e.g. it would take 3.7 pounds (1.7 kg) of pink Himalayan salt to obtain the recommended daily amount of potassium (Click here to know more).
Please understand that, internet is full of misleading information, primarily because of hidden marketing motives. Salt is salt, and the formula of all salt is NaCl (sodium chloride). Some have more of trace minerals.
Just because a salt is refined, doesn’t make it bad. As the amount of salt you have is very little, just for taste and flavour. On the other hand, the table salt in the market, is mostly iodine enriched to prevent mass scale iodine deficiency.
There are lot of claims about different salts, for e.g. many websites claim that pink Himalayan salt should be used instead of table salt because, it helps improves respiratory diseases, balances body’s pH, reduces signs of ageing, helps regulate sleep, blood sugar and even libido.
Please get this thing clear that there is not even a single study or evidence which can prove these claims. Studies which have been done are done on normal salt or NaCl in any salt. There is simply no proof of any such bogus claims.
Let’s bust some more misleading claims mentioned in various websites:
But please understand that if you want to use any other salt like sea salt, Himalayan pink salt etc. it’s absolutely fine as a replacement of normal table salt. But don’t expect any magic or health benefits from it. Believing misleading information is what you should safeguard yourself from.
Because of the falsely claimed and overhyped benefits, these salts are sold at much higher price than normal table salt. Suddenly some companies have hired some movie actors and actresses and advertised their salt to be healthier than the normal salt.
TABLE SALT or ROCK SALT or PINK SALT or SEA SALT – in the end, it’s all still salt. Actors and actresses (I don’t call them celebrities), work for anyone and can say anything, if paid for. For most of them, ethics & morals are quite alien terms. On the other hand, most of them have no idea about what they are selling, they just look at the money coming in.
Akshay Chopra is a renowned fitness professional, a speaker , a writer and the owner of Indias research based platform, Werstupid. He has been transforming lives, and has addressed many a people with motivational words. Known as the Encyclopaedia of Fitness Industry, his knowledge is unparalleled.
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