Is Himalayan Salt Good For You?
If you are wondering whether Himalayan salt is good for you, read on to learn more about its health benefits and trace minerals. This salt is a major source of iodine, a mineral that your body needs for thyroid hormones and metabolism. It is not a substitute for regular salt, so you should add other sources to your diet. The following are just a few of the many health benefits you can get from it.
Health benefits of Himalayan salt
Regular salt and pink Himalayan salt contain the same amount of iodine, but pink Himalayan salt has a much lower concentration of iodine than regular table. Iodine is essential for thyroid hormone production and metabolism, and regular salt alone will not provide sufficient amounts of the mineral. Regular salt, however, can be supplemented with additional sources of iodine.
Many people claim that pink Himalayan salt is less processed and contains fewer nutrients than regular table sea salt. While this is true, regular salt contains anti-caking agents and also loses many nutrients in the grinding process. The larger grains of pink Himalayan salt can be more beneficial in a pinch, as they can be used in recipes. Also, pink Himalayan salt is great for rehydrating the body, especially during physical activities or while recovering from a cold or flu.
People who suffer from respiratory problems often use pink Himalayan salt as a body scrub. In addition to neutralizing pollutants in the skin, pink Himalayan salt can ease headaches and relieve inflammation. Its antibacterial properties make it an effective treatment for a variety of skin conditions, and it is increasingly being used in spas and beauty treatments. But before you add salt to your body, check with your physician first.
Health benefits of trace minerals
Himalayan salt is becoming a popular food additive and home accessory, but are there any real health benefits? This salt, which is 87 percent sodium chloride, was originally formed from seawater hundreds of millions of years ago. Today, it is mined in the city of Khewra, Pakistan, from a salt range that was formed above a prehistoric lagoon. While table salt is 87 percent sodium, it also contains magnesium, potassium, and copper.
Another important trace mineral in Himalayan salt is iodine, which is a nutrient that is often lacking in American diets. Although 75 percent of U.S. households use iodized salt, pink Himalayan salt may naturally contain iodine. However, people who are deficient in iodine may need to seek other sources for this mineral.
The mineral content of pink salt was analyzed by using descriptive statistics. One-way analyses of variance were conducted to determine differences in the presence of certain trace minerals by region. In addition, a one-sample t-test was conducted to determine whether differences in the concentration of trace minerals were significant between the regions. In contrast, no silver or arsenic were detected. While it is unknown whether the Himalayan salt contains trace amounts of these minerals, it is safe to consume it in small amounts.
Health benefits of iodine
Iodine in regular salt is a major component of the thyroid hormone. The body needs this nutrient to maintain healthy metabolism and thyroid function. Salt is a natural source of iodine, but it is not found in Himalayan salt. In order to meet these needs, you must consume other iodine-rich foods in your daily diet. If you’re not getting enough iodine from your regular salt, you should consider switching to this type of salt.
Natural sources of iodine include eggs, fish, dairy products, and Himalayan salt. Conventional table salt, however, only contains iodine if it is added during processing. Because Himalayan salt remains naturally-occurring, it has minimal iodine content. But iodine is a crucial mineral. It’s a key building block of thyroid hormones T3 and T4, which regulate metabolism.
Pink Himalayan salt is almost identical to ordinary table-salt, with 98% sodium chloride and trace minerals. However, the pink tint is due to iodine, an essential nutrient for thyroid function and efficient cell metabolism. Iodized salt has a high iodine content, but this isn’t enough to combat the lack of iodine in regular salt.