Move over to the healthy Pink Himalayan salt from the refined white salt. This is one big change you got to make if wellness is your priority. If you have stopped by to admire those beautiful, pink-hued, rock salt crystals on the shelves in your neighbourhood health store, time for you to check them out. Buy a packet today and use them in your cooking, add it to your salads or to anything that needs a dash of salt.

Pink Himalayan salt has already caught on in India and elsewhere in the world with all the advocates of ‘Food is Medicine’. And for all those still wondering whats the big deal about it, here go few solid reasons that should convince you to make the change. From refined white salt to Pink Himalayan Salt.

It Is Pure

Authentic Pink Himalayan salt is mined from the Khewra Salt Mines, the oldest and largest salt mine in Pakistan. This mine is millions of years old (probably 250 million years) and the salt extracted from it is unrefined and pure. That means the salt has not been exposed to pollutants like pesticides, toxins and other impurities.

The white salt that most people buy from regular stores is got from evaporating salt water, or extricating solid salt from salt mines. It then goes through chemical processing and bleaching to remove impurities. In the process, many precious minerals are lost and in order to compensate for the loss, manufacturers add additives which are not half as good as the natural minerals. Whats more,  anti-caking agents (which are harmful) are added to absorb moisture and keep the salt free-flowing. Typical table salt consists of 97.5% sodium chloride and 2.5% chemicals.

Many people are turning to sea salts for their regular usage, but a word of caution here. All salt is sea salt, where else would any salt be got from? The sad part though is that most of our lakes and oceans are contaminated with toxic poisons like mercury, PCBs  and dioxin (both, classes of man-made chemicals). Oil spills make it worse, leaving behind toxins that will stay on in the water for ages. More than 85% of sea salt producers use refining processes, of which we have already talked about. Hence do not fall for a mere ‘sea salt’ term, on the labels. Look more closely for any additives and loosely coined ingredient list.

Pure salt will lump up more easily and more frequently than the refined salt, but that’s not a matter for concern, rather proof that it is unrefined and safe ! Some anti-caking agents may contain ammonia and aluminium, which are associated with neurodegenerative disorders like Alzheimers’s disease. Pink Himalayan salt is spared of all of the above. Will you opt for it now ?

Sodium Potassium Balance

The scientific name for table salt (white, refined) is Sodium Chloride. Does that sound unsafe to you? It should….else here is why ! Table salt, undergoes a refining process that robs it of all its minerals, except sodium and chloride. Your doctors and nutritionists have all told you that sodium increases water retention, which is hard on your kidneys – they have to work overtime to expel the water. The circle of damage continues. Strain on kidneys means higher blood pressure and that in turn leads to hypertension. Now, our body is a work of marvel. The creator has made sure that potassium works with sodium in a specific ratio to regulate blood pressure. Unfortunately, table salt loses many of the nutrients, potassium being one of them, in the refining and bleaching processes. So the balance becomes lopsided when you consume refined salt. Pink Himalayan salt on the other hand also contains sodium, but in lower proportions (3). Besides it is enriched with potassium that counterbalances sodium and the equilibrium is therefore maintained. So, has Pink Himalayan salt come on your shopping list now ?

More Minerals

Mike Adams, editor of Natural News (world’s top source on natural health) describes Pink Himalayan salt as ‘full spectrum’ salt. Rightly so, since it is loaded with 84 healthy, naturally occurring minerals and trace elements. Refined salt gets devoid of 80 minerals in the refining process, including iodine. But salt manufacturers put back only iodine into it, calling it ‘iodized salt’. Do you know why there is this stress on iodised salt? Because while consuming refined salt leads to many degenerative diseases that are not so obvious, the one that stands out is goiter, the most noticeable ! Hence, unscrupulous salt industry magnates use ‘iodized salt’ to their advantage. Lack of iodine can lead to mental retardation over generations, but that is hard to put a finger on. You get it ? Why eat nutrient-deprived processed salt when you have the nutrient dense Pink Himalayan salt?

Some of the other afflictions of processed salt :

• Cellulite
• Rheumatism, arthritis and gout
• Kidney and gall bladder stones
• High blood pressure

Why is Pink Himalayan salt pink ? Because it contains minerals like potassium, iodine, iron, manganese and calcium as well as the lesser heard of molybdenum and strontium, and together they all give it its signature pink hue. The crystals can vary between non-white to shades of pink. All natural, full spectrum salts are either non-white, pink, brown or sandy in colour. These minerals are amazingly connected in structure, making it easy for the body to absorb the trace minerals.

Useful tip : Make sure you buy Pink Himalayan salt in crystal form and avoid the powdered variety. Powdered salt could sometimes be adulterated. Buy the crystals and run them in your grinder or food processor at home.

You can buy the salt online. I buy mine from either Dhanyam, Terra or Earth Story in Chennai.

Healthy Support To Your Body

The word ‘sodium’ ups antennas in the world of health, but the negative connotation is directly proportionate to excessive consumption. Sodium has its positive role to play in the health of humans. Muscle contraction, glucose absorption, cardiac functions and fluid regulation, all need sufficient amount of sodium for optimum functioning. Chloride supports the digestive process and is required to maintain blood pressure and volume. Iodine, meanwhile promotes healthy thyroid functioning. Pink Himalayan salt is packed with all these nutrients and more to keep a healthy body. Plus, it contains all of the six electrolytes  needed to maintain appropriate hydration levels in the body, as well as for muscles and nerves to function at their best. Listed as phosphorus, calcium, magnesium, sodium, potassium and chloride. These electrolytes can also provide relief from migraines and support the adrenal glands. Another reason to make the change?

Better Taste

Table salt adds a salty sharpness to your dishes, but Pink Himalayan salt gives that subtle soft flavour, enhancing the taste of the dish. However, since most people are so used to that strong sharp taste of table salt, they may end up using more Pink Himalayan salt to arrive at the taste they have been accustomed to. This can be avoided. Trust me, it’s all a matter of habit and training your taste buds. Get used to the subtle taste of salt.

Special Notes

Fitness 

Athletes, sport-persons, people living in hot climates and all those who exercise a lot would do well to replace white, refined salt with Pink Himalayan salt. They sweat a lot and with that lose minerals. Processed salt as mentioned earlier cannot replenish the body with such minerals, only full spectrum salts can.

Food cravings

Making another case for Pink Himalyan salt. Have you had cravings for junk food and processed food, or even extra salt at the dining table while everyone else seems to be finding the dishes right ? Try using Pink Himalayan salt, the cravings may reduce, which are in reality – craving for full spectrum salt. Since your body lacks minerals, it sends wrong messages to your mind and you end up eating salty foods full of processed salts. Hence try to get full spectrum salt in your daily diet.

If you have high blood pressure, chuck processed salt out today and replace it with Pink Himalayan salt. Stop eating salty snacks like chips and canned soups. Fried salty chips are also big culprits in acidity issues – I have personally paid a hefty price for gorging on potato chips and it took me a good fifteen days to get rid of it. Soup cans are lined with BPA, another health hazard. Instead opt for homemade fruit smoothies and healthier snacks, remember to use full spectrum salts.

Additional health benefits of Pink Himalayan salt may include:

• Regulation of water levels within the body for proper overall functioning
• Helping reduce common signs of aging
• Encouraging healthy blood sugar levels
• Promoting cellular energy creation
• Reducing cramping (like leg cramps)
• Improving absorption of nutrients from foods
• Aiding vascular health
• Lowering the incidence of sinus problems and promoting overall sinus health
• Providing circulatory support
• Improving bone strength
• Fostering a healthy libido
• Promoting kidney and gallbladder health.

Beauty Aid

There is more to Pink Himalayan salt than just internal health. It is widely used in skin care products and makes an excellent bath salt. With its numerous skin nourishing minerals, bathing with Pink Himalayan salt is known to soothe aching muscles and stimulate healthy blood circulation. I am a fan of a natural skin care brand, Astrea that makes a body scrub called Himalayan Beauty, using the said salt.

Air Purifier

Have you seen Pink Himalayan salt lamps in your friends’ houses and wanted one? Pink Himalayan salt is known to possess air purifying properties through the power of hygroscopy  and that is why you saw them on their desks. Here is how : Salt as we all know attracts water vapour. It also attracts air pollutants. While water vapour evaporates due to the heat of the lamp, dust allergens remain trapped in the salt and you are spared of them.

And that kind of sums up the many benefits of Pink Himalayan salt. Dear readers, when you do make the change or if you are already using Pink Himalayan salt, please share your views and feedback in the comments. We can all benefit from each other.

This is an informative blog and neither diagnostic or prescriptive. 

Sources include :

1. https://sites.google.com/site/healthpartisan/salt-alert—aluminium
2. https://blog.paleohacks.com/himalayan-salt/#
3. https://www.naturalnews.com/028724_Himalayan_salt_sea.html
4. https://draxe.com/electrolyte-imbalance/
5. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hygroscopy
6. http://www.naturallivingideas.com/himalayan-pink-salt-lamp-benefits/