Pink salt is considered to be the purest salt in the world. So what is the impact of pink salt on health, how much use can influence health?
What is pink salt?
When it comes to pink salt, everyone assumes that it is Himalayan pink salt. which is a rock salt from the Punjab region of Pakistan, near the foothills of the Himalayas.
Many people think that Himalayan pink salt is one of the purest salts and has countless health benefits.
Composition of Himalayan pink salt
Himalayan pink salt has the same chemical properties as table salt. Its main components include:
- 98% sodium chloride
- The remaining 2% includes trace minerals, such as potassium, magnesium, and calcium. These minerals give the salt a light pink color and also explain why the Himalayan salt tastes different from ordinary table salt.
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How is pink salt used?
This salt is used as a common salt when cooking, reducing spices, and preserving food.
With large blocks of pink salt, people use it as a cutting board, surface for direct cooking, or to display food.
Some people also use Himalayan pink salt as a bath salt.
Why does the body need salt?
Sodium is an essential trace mineral found in salt. The body needs this substance for a variety of functions, in addition to supporting:
- Harmonize and relax muscles
- Maintain and maintain proper fluid balance in the body
- Prevent dehydration
- Send nerve impulses
- Prevent low blood pressure
Numerous recent studies have shown that consuming salt can reduce the risk of infection and kill harmful bacteria.
Another study also helped scientists show salt can have a positive effect on depressive symptoms.
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The effect of pink salt
1. Abundant mineral content
What is the use of pink salt? The first is the content of minerals in pink salts. Some sources say that it contains 84 different trace minerals. Although only 2% of the composition (the remaining 98% is sodium chloride), these minerals are good for the body, such as potassium, magnesium, and calcium.
Many people think that with such a small amount, pink salt may not provide any health benefits or negligible impact.
2. Low sodium content
Some people believe that Himalayan pink salt has lower sodium content than regular table salt. However, both contain about 98% sodium chloride.
Because pink salt usually has a larger crystal than table salt, it is technically less sodium if measured in teaspoons.
It also has a more salty taste than table salt, indicating we will use less salt, thereby reducing the sodium intake from salt.
Though, pink salt is also available in smaller particle sizes, similar to regular salt. So carefully distinguish the two types of salt before seasoning food, otherwise, the food will be both salty and high in sodium.
The American Heart Association (AHA) suggests that over 75% of the sodium comes from salt already in processed foods. So adding salt to foods usually doesn't affect too much sodium.
3. Natural quality
Some people believe that Himalayan salt is "more natural" than table salt.
Table salt is often refined and mixed with anti-caking agents to prevent clottings, such as sodium aluminosilicate or magnesium carbonate. In contrast, Himalayan salts are less artificial and often contain no additives.
4. Hydration aid
Some people believe that adding a little pink salt to meals or drinks can help the body achieve optimal fluid balance and prevent dehydration.
This is also the effect of the most controversial pink salt.
Sodium is indeed important to maintain proper fluid balance in the body. However, this is true of sodium from other sources, not just from Himalayan pink salts.
Risks of using pink salt
1. Lack of iodine
Iodine is a mineral that the body requires to maintain proper thyroid function and cellular metabolism.
Common sources of iodine include fish, seaweed, milk, eggs, etc.
Iodized salt is another common source of this trace mineral. About 75% of households in the United States use iodized salt.
Although Himalayan pink salt naturally contains iodine, it most likely contains less iodine than iodized salt.
Therefore, people who are iodine deficient or in danger of deficiency need to add iodine if using pink salt instead of table salt.
2. Excess sodium
Although sodium is a necessary substance for sustaining life, we still have to monitor the amount of proper salt intake. Because too much sodium can negatively harm health.
People with kidney, heart, or liver problems, or people on a sodium-restricted diet, should control their sodium intake. Also limit the use of all salts, including Himalayan pink salts.
Even people in good health should monitor their sodium intake. A 2016 report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says that more than 90% of children and 89% of adults consume more than the recommended amount of sodium.
The recommended amount of sodium in salt
How much sodium is enough? 2015 to 2020 dietary guidelines for Americans suggest that people eat less than 2,300 milligrams (mg) of sodium daily.
This amount of sodium is equivalent to about 1 teaspoon of regular table salt.
People with high blood pressure should limit sodium intake, to less than 1500 mg per day.
Salt contains 40% sodium. Certain salt amounts contain the following sodium:
- 1/4 teaspoon salt: 575 mg sodium
- 1/2 teaspoon salt: 1,150 mg sodium
- 3/4 tsp of salt: 1,725 mg of sodium
- 1 teaspoon of salt: 2,300 mg of sodium
Most people are consuming more than this amount.
Harm when excess sodium
When people absorb more sodium than needed, the kidneys try to eliminate excess sodium through the urine. If the kidneys cannot remove it properly, sodium will begin to build up in the fluid between the cells, called interstitial fluid.
This causes both water and blood levels in the body to increase, putting stress on the heart and blood vessels.
Some serious health conditions are linked with high sodium intake, including:
- High Blood Pressure
- Heart disease
- Stroke
- Liver damage
- Osteoporosis
- Kidney diseases
Excessive consumption of salt can even contribute to autoimmune diseases, such as multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, and psoriasis, as it stimulates the immune system too hard.
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