Salt is a mineral containing Na Cl as its main component. It has been using for a long as a food ingredient and a food preserving element. Salt is vital for life, as our body needs it to perform various body functions.
Today, almost 14000 different uses of salt have been estimated. Yes! You read it right 14000 ways to use the salt have been reported by the salt institute.
Salt is either harvested from the salt mines or obtained by evaporating the seawater.
What is Himalayan pink salt?
Himalayan pink salt is the salt that exclusively comes from the khewra mines located near Punjab, Pakistan. It the largest mines in Pakistan and the second largest in the world.
Himalayan pink salt is the most popular kind of salt, widely used for its taste and health perks. It is the purest form of salt, harvested with hands. Unlike many other forms of salt, it is not chemically bleached and has no anti-caking agent.
History of Himalayan pink salt:
Himalayan salt (halite) is the rock salt mined from the salt deposits formed approx. 250 million years ago as a result of the evaporation of seawater. These deposits remain covered by the mountains until y Alexander The Great discovered them around the year 326 BC.
The large-scale mining of the Himalayan pink rock salt began in the 16th century by the Mughal Emperors.
The ancient people had been using the salt to preserve food. It was widely used as an essential ingredient in ayurvedic medicines. The salt was named white gold or king of salt due to its immense healing benefits.
Does Himalayan pink salt have iodine?
Himalayan pink salt contains a lower level of iodine in it. However, sodium and chloride are the primary components of the salt with 84 trace elements and minerals like magnesium, potassium, iron oxide, and zinc. These minerals make it a healthy substitute for any other type of salt.
The Himalayan rock salt has mostly a light pinkish tint due to the presence of minerals in it. However, the salt crystals can also be orange or white, depending on the occurrence of other impurities in them.
Himalayan pink salt side effects
Himalayan salt has countless health and beauty benefits that make it superior as compared to the other varieties of salt. At present, there is no scientific evidence to show that pink Himalayan salt has any side effects that cause any harm to health. The salt is safe to use and contains minerals and elements that are beneficial for the human body.
Himalayan pink salt vs. Sea Salt
Himalayan pink salt and sea salt are commonly added to the dishes. Both the salts are different from each other based on various factors.
Himalayan pink salt is healthier and beneficial, being more nutritious and mineral enriched than sea salt.
Let us explore how these two salts differ from each other!
- Best Himalayan pink salt comes from ancient salt deposits found near the mountains of the Himalayas in Pakistan. It is extracted with hands without using any equipment. The Sea salt is obtained by evaporating seawater with the use of specialized pieces of equipment.
- Himalayan salt is purest as compared to sea salt because it does not contain any impurity. The salt has traces of 84 minerals and elements that is why it is often named “pink gold. The salt has a peachy pink hue due to the presence of these minerals. Sea salt contains 72 elements in it, and that is the reason it is less beneficial than the Himalayan salt.
- Since Himalayan salt is extracted with hands, it does not contain any impurities, additives, or chemicals. It is the purest, natural, and unprocessed salt. The sea salt contains pollutants such as microplastics (remains of plastic) and heavy metals like lead. That is the reason why it is less beneficial for health when compared to Himalayan salt.
4.The health benefits of pink Himalayan salt are more than that of sea salt as it comes with a large number of nutrients, elements, and minerals like potassium, calcium, iron oxide, magnesium, and many others. Sea salt has a small number of trace minerals to be proven to have a better impact on health.
- The taste of Himalayan salt is less salty, while the sea salt has a strong flavor and taste.
Pink Himalayan salt has a lower amount of sodium as compared to sea salt. The higher level of sodium in the human body leads to kidney problems, dehydration, or other medical conditions.
Himalayan salt is best known for the treatment of respiratory disorders due to its feature of releasing negative ions. A lot of home décor products made of Himalayan salt are available that are liked by people around the world. These products not only add to the beauty of the house but also treat several respiratory ailments. This feature of Himalayan salt makes it widely used salt as compared to sea salt.
How much sodium in 1 tsp Himalayan pink salt
Himalayan pink salt has about 1700 mg of sodium in one teaspoon. The salt is known to be healthier as it contains the least amount of sodium in 1 tsp when compared to all other varieties of salt. e.g. the common table salt has 2300 mg of sodium while sea salt has 2000 mg of sodium in one teaspoon.
