Salt Or Pink Himalayan Salt? True Facts Reveal The Health Issues

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Jan 09, 2017 12:54 PM EST

Salt is one of the core ingredients, necessary in everyday meals. Pink Himalayan salt is one such ingredient that can be used in the everyday diet. But is it true that it can provide several health benefits?

Pink Himalayan salt is a rock salt that is available in the Punjab region of Pakistan. According to MNT, the area is close to the foothills of the Himalayas. Previously a lot of health benefits are mentioned from different sources, but current investigation raises different questions.  

Pink Himalayan salt is just like other table salts. It contains sodium chloride up to 98% and the rest 2% includes calcium, magnesium, and potassium. These three minerals together bring the pink color of the salt and taste different from other table salts.

This salt is used like another common salt to preserve food and in cooking. Some people use it as the bath salts.

The necessity of salt and the benefits of Himalayan salt:

Sodium is the key element of salt and it is necessary for several health benefits. Sodium prevents low blood pressure and dehydration. It also provides development in the nervous system.

Current research reveals that intake of salt reduces the chance of infection in the body, even it can kill the many harmful bacteria. It can also be used as an antidepressant.

Now different sources reveal several health benefits of pink Himalayan salt. Some say this salt is rich in minerals. Some others prefer it for lower intake of sodium. Pink Himalayan salt is regarded as a natural salt as it is not processed and therefore no additives are mixed.

A small amount of Pink Himalayan salt is enough to prevent dehydration. That means compared to other table salts, it is saltier and so a small amount is enough for dehydration. Actually, sodium is essential to maintain proper fluid balance in the body, and this salt can do it easily.

But the current investigation reveals the actual fact regarding the Pink Himalayan salt. The first thing is iodine intake is essential in order to maintain proper thyroid function and also the perfect cell metabolism. Most of the iodized salts provide sufficient amount of iodine.

On the other hand, Pink Himalayan salt contains less iodine compared to other iodized salts. Actually, there is no specific evidence that can prove that Pink Himalayan salt has health benefits. Even this salt contains very small amount of minerals. So it is not possible that this salt can bring health benefits.

Iodized salts are safe as they are purified, but Pink Himalayan salt is not iodized, so there can be several health issues regarding this salt.  Dietary Guidelines 2015-2020 recommended that people should consume less than 2,300 milligrams of sodium per day.  

Sodium is necessary, but more or less sodium can create health issues. Only iodized salts can provide the proper amount of sodium if consumed in proper quantity. Salt with the proper amount of iodine is best to maintain a good health.  

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