Everything You Need to Know About Himalayan Pink Salt.

Before looking at the details of Himalayan Pink Salt, let’s check out what is “Salt”? Salt is a mineral, and it is essentially made from a compound known as sodium chloride. Many people use the words salt and sodium interchangeably. This is because salt consists of 98% of sodium chloride in weight.

Everything You Need to Know About Himalayan Pink Salt​

Salt is manufactured in two ways. One is the extraction from underground salt mines, and the second is by evaporation of saltwater. It also goes through a refining process before ending up on your table. The refining process is carried out to remove other minerals apart from sodium chloride and for removing impurities.

What is Himalayan pink salt?

The Himalayan pink salt’s found in the northern regions of Pakistan close to the Himalayas. The Khewra salt mine is one of the oldest and largest salt mines in the world. The pink salt that can be found in these mines is possibly formed due to the evaporation of water bodies during ancient times. It is conceived that the pink salt is found here is as a result of remnants of the primal sea.

Elements and Minerals in the Himalayan Pink Salt

The Himalayan pink salt side effects are less because it is more natural than your everyday table salt. There is little processing required, and it is mostly hand extracted. There are no additives in the salt, and it is unrefined salt. Although the pink Himalayan salt consists of sodium chloride, it undergoes a natural harvesting process. Therefore it contains several other minerals and elements that are not present in the everyday table salt. It is estimated that the Himalayan Pink Salt consists of 84 various traces of minerals and elements. However, it is the presence of iron, which gives it a pink color.

Using the Himalayan Pink Salt

There are several dietary and non-dietary uses of Himalayan pink salt. You can cook by using it or eat it similar to table salt. It is possible to use pink salt in the same way as using table salt. The pink salt also may be used as a cooking surface. Big blocks of pink salt may be used for a grill or searing. It can also provide salty flavor to meats. There are two forms of purchasing it.

One as a coarse variety, and the second is finely ground. There are some non-dietary uses of pink salt as well. It is used to soothe sore muscles and better skin quality by using it in the form of a salt bath. It is also used in lamps that decrease air pollutants. Many people spend a lot of time in the Himalayan pink salt caves to improve skin and respiratory problems.

Health Benefits of Himalayan Pink Salt

As we have learned above, both table salt and pink salt have traces of sodium chloride in them. However, the pink salt has around 84 more minerals and elements in it. They include minerals such as potassium, strontium, molybdenum, and calcium. Various studies have shown that table salt has more sodium than the Himalayan salt, which on the other hand, contains minerals such as calcium, iron, and magnesium. Here are some health claims commonly made about the pink salt,

• Reduced aging signs.
• Better sleep quality.
• Better regulated blood sugar.
• Raised libido.
• Improvement in the condition of the respiratory disease.
• It helps in balancing the body PH.

Although some studies support the different benefits acquired while being exposed to the salt caves, such as treatment for lung diseases, there is little evidence to support other claims. However, the pink salt is beneficial to your overall health and wellbeing because it does not contain any ingredients that are harmful to your health, and so there are little known Himalayan pink salt side effects. This makes it an excellent natural alternative to the common salt.

Himalayan Pink Salt Side Effects & Limitations

There are certain points to be considered, which can be termed as Himalayan pink salt side effects. Keep them in mind while using the salt.

1. Iodine Quantities:

Some natural sources of iodine are sea vegetables, fish, eggs, and dairy products, among others. Iodine is responsible for supporting the thyroid glands in the human body. The body also requires iodine for cell metabolism. The pink salt contains lesser iodine than the table salt and therefore is not as suitable to people with iodine deficiency as the table salt. Iodized salt is a more potent source for the trace mineral. The majority of households in the U.S. use iodized salt.

2. Sodium Intake:

Even though sodium is essential for preserving life, it is necessary to regulate sodium intake through any kind of salt. Sodium is essential in small quantities, and too much of it harms human health. People suffering from heart, kidney, or liver problems have to follow a sodium-restricted diet. They have to regulate sodium intake and restrict salt use, which means reducing the use of Himalayan pink salt. Even those having good health need to watch out for sodium use.

The high sodium content could be one of the main Himalayan pink salt side effects. People suffering from high blood pressure need to limit their sodium content to less than 1500 mg daily. You can talk to a dietician for determining any changes required to limit the use of sodium. There are many other health issues related to high sodium consumption such as,

• Heart diseases
• Liver damage
• Kidney diseases
• Osteoporosis
• Stroke
• High blood pressure

3. Benefits available in the Pure Version Only:

All the benefits associated with the Himalayan pink salt are available in the pure version of the salt obtained from Pakistan only.

Some Other Uses of Himalayan Pink Salt

1. Himalayan Salt inhaler:

A salt therapy used for healing in various parts of the world, called speleotherapy, is a Himalayan salt benefit. The process used in the therapy uses salt for curing respiratory problems. It is a modern salt therapy in which you sit in a room that has salt-laden air. If you inhale the salty air, the small salt particles in the air detox and purify your sinuses and lungs as they are traveling through the respiratory system. It is possible due to the antimicrobial and antibacterial properties of the Himalayan pink salt. The salt therapy provides several benefits such as,

• Decreased asthma.
• Relive chest congestion and cough.
• Improvement in skin conditions such as dermatitis and eczema.
• It helps in improving the snoring problem.
• Improved condition of lungs for individuals suffering from cystic fibrosis.
• The improved respiratory system of smokers.
• Decreased seasonal allergies by cleaning sinuses.

The salt inhaler can be used at home to provide pink salt therapy.

2. Pink Himalayan Salt Bath:

The salt baths are extremely popular these days due to their rejuvenating and detoxifying benefits. In addition to that, if you have a salt bath domestically, it provides a spa-like experience, and you don’t have to pay those hefty charges for it. If you take salt baths for 15-20 minutes, it flushes out the toxins collected within your body and provides a deep cleansing effect. It makes you feel fresh and energetic. The pink Himalayan salt is considered as the most effective salt to be used for the bath. The bath is also called as Brine. It is easy to make the Brine as you can dissolve 0.5 kg to 1 kg of the Himalayan pink salt in lukewarm water.

3. Himalayan Pink Salt Slab:

You may just warm the pink salt in the oven and place it on your feet for instant relief. It is one of the least expensive and easy ways of using salt. However, the method is not as reliable as others.

4. Himalayan Salt Detoxer:

It is similar to the Himalayan salt lamps and comes with a bulb inside, which heats the salt dome. When the dome is warm, you may place your hands and feet on it, and negative ions begin to circulate inside your body. This also reduces inflammation and provides excellent relief to the body.

Conclusion

If you add the Himalayan pink salt to your diet instead of the regular table salt, it is going to be beneficial to your health. You will find many diet plans on the internet that are promoting salt-free food. But decreasing the sodium levels in the diet decreases mortality and raises insulin resistance.

The Himalayan pink salt can be a healthier option to the table salt. There is a rumor going around that people living in the Himalayas use the Himalayan pink salt for preserving their fish and meats.