Pink himalayan salt is considered healthier as compared to the common refined salt. It is mined from the ancient sea bed rocks of himalayan region. Millions of years ago himalayan region was the sea. The salt accumulated in these rocks is pure unlike sea salt of today which is contaminated with pollutants. The other comparable salt is celtic sea salt which is grey.
Pink himalayan salt contains 60-84 different trace minerals such magnesium, potassium, calcium, manganese, copper etc giving it its rosy pink shades. The huge health benefits of pink himalayan salt come from these trace minerals. Some of the claims may sound exaggerated as not enough research is done on the pink himalayan salt.
What is Pink Himalayan Salt?
Pink himalayan salt is classified as rock salt. It is also known as pink salt, rock salt, himalayan sea salt and himalayan Crystal salt.
If you look back at the history of himalaya then you can appreciate how the dried remains of sea are preserved under himalayan Rocks for millions of years. When they are mined from thousand of feet below the rocks they are 100% pure salts unaffected by any pollutants.
The color of the himalayan salt can be pink, white, red and its different shades depending on the area of mining and concentration of various trace metals.
What is the Difference between Pink Himalayan Salt and Common Table Salt?
Common table salt is also sea salt, so in what way is it different than himalayan sea salt?
Main difference comes from refining.
The himalayan sea salt is mined by hands and is not processed. It retains all it's minerals in the original form. Where as the current table salt we use us highly refined salt.
Most of the minor trace metals are lost during the refining prices living the dominant sodium chloride intact. The chemical composition of the table salt is almost 99% sodium chloride. Some table salts have added iodine.
However, the refined salt not only loses its minerals but it also acquires many dangerous chemicals during the refining and polishing process.
On the other hand the pink himalayan salt comes in unrefined Chrystal firm retaining all the beneficial minerals.
Why Does Your Body Need Salt and Minerals
Certain minerals are essential for your body to function well. You normally get these vital nutrients from the diet you consume. Sometimes deficiency of a specific mineral may push you to take supplements to stay healthy.
The pink himalayan salt provides 84 different minerals though it still remains the main supplier of sodium (98%). It also contains minerals like sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium and trace metals like selenium, copper and zinc to name a few.
Some of the most common benefits of these minerals for your body are as under:
- Build strong bones and teeth
- Circulate oxygen from blood to cells
- Assists in blood clotting
- Helps in metabolic functions
- Contract and relax muscles
- Prevent low blood pressure
- Sends nerve system impulses
- Maintain proper fluid balance.
7 Health Benefits of Pink Himalayan Crystal Salt
1. Balances Body's pH
If your body's acid alkaline ratio is maintained within the specified limits then your immunity increases. This is no mean benefit. The pink himalayan salt due to its multiple minerals helps maintaining that pH balance of your blood.
2. Aids in Digestion
A saturated solution of pink himalayan salt in water helps in digestion. Dissolve one teaspoon of pink himalayan salt in a glass of warm water and drink it.
It helps the gastrointestinal tract to digest nutrients more effectively.
This drink not only improves your digestion but also reduces acid reflux and dehydration.
3.Soothes Soreness
One of the biggest benefits of himalayan salt is its ability to relax sore muscles.
Add pink himalayan salt to your bath water and fill the tub. Ensure that water is warm.doak your entire body in the bath tub for 15- minutes.
Your muscles will relax, your skin will absorb minerals and become more vibrant.
4.Detoxifies the Body
The salt water bath with pink himalayan salt detoxifies your entire body.
The electrolytes in the salt are infused in your skin and the body to increase hydration. The electrolytes make water and fluid absorption easy.
Take a pink himalayan salt water bath once a week to keep your body relaxed and your skin fully hydrated.
5. Regulates Hydration
Pink himalayan salt has all the electrolytes required by the body- sodium, potassium, calcium and magnesium.
Body's fluid is regulated by these electrolytes. When you are exhausted due to heat it exercise, you lose electrolytes and fluids. That is dehydration. On such occasions, I consume pink himalayan salt sole(pronounced 'solay’). You can dissolve the pink himalayan salt in water and drink. It will circulate fluid quickly to all the cells to get rid of dehydration.
6. Heals Sinus Infections
Nasal irrigation done with pink himalayan salt is more effective than the common salt which is also a good option.
The salt is antibacterial and antifungal. It not only clears your sinuses but also kills bacteria.
You can dissolve one teaspoon of pink himalayan salt crystals in a glass of slightly warm water to do nasal irrigation.
7. Maintains Blood Pressure
Since himalayan salt does not contain sodium alone, it balances the minerals in the body which regulates fluids in the blood.
The potassium in the himalayan salt helps better kidney functioning. Which means blood will not be high in fluids resulting in maintaining the blood pressure.
This is a better option than common sodium salt which increases blood pressure.
If you replace your common salt with himalayan pink salt and maintain low intake of salt, then you will be able to lower your blood pressure.
Precautions and Tips
Though minerals are essential, excess minerals in the body can be toxic. So it is important that minerals come from the food items. This reduces possibilities of getting excess quantities in the body.
Take following precautions while consuming pink himalayan Crystal salt. Excess sodium in the body
- Causes fluid retention by disrupting the kidney functioning.
- Raises blood pressure
- Increases heart diseases
- Causes kidney diseases
- Leads to stroke
- Damages liver
- Can cause multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, psoriasis and other autoimmune diseases
- Increase Weight and cause obesity
The pink himalayan crystal salt, celtic sea salt and common refined salt are all more than 98% sodium chloride. So excess consumption of any of them will cause the same adverse effect. However himalayan sea salt has an edge over other salt due to its other mineral contents. Remember you have to get your iodine from other sources as it does not have the iodine.