Salt is an essential substance for human beings due to the importance of its components, chloride and sodium, for various bodily functions. However, consuming common table salt, which contains 97.5% sodium chloride, can lead to high blood pressure and other health issues. Healthier alternatives like sea salt and Himalayan salt are available, but many people remain unsure about the differences between these two options. This article will discuss the distinctions between sea salt and Himalayan salt.
Key Takeaways
- Sea salt is obtained through the evaporation of seawater, while Himalayan salt is mined from salt caves near the Himalayas in Pakistan.
- Both sea salt and Himalayan salt contain valuable trace minerals, but Himalayan salt is considered purer and contains more minerals due to its age and isolation.
- Sea salt lacks iodine, but Himalayan salt contains iodine and around 80 other minerals beneficial for health.
Sea Salt
Sea salt is obtained through the evaporation of seawater. There is no difference in nutritional value between sea salt and common table salt, but their taste and texture differ due to the processing of table salt at high temperatures of 1200 degrees. This processing causes table salt grains to become super dried and free-flowing, but it also removes valuable trace elements beneficial for health. Sea salt retains these trace elements and minerals, which enhance its flavor and give it a coarser texture. Although not as visually appealing as refined table salt, sea salt contains magnesium and other trace minerals that are good for our health. However, sea salt contains only a negligible amount of iodine, so it is necessary to consume iodine-rich foods to compensate for this deficiency.
Himalayan Salt
Himalayan salt is a trade name for a salt sourced from salt caves formed millions of years ago when oceanic salt was deposited in various locations across the Earth. Also known as Halite or rock salt in Pakistan, Himalayan salt has gained popularity in the West since the beginning of the 21st century. The salt has a pinkish color and is believed to have numerous health benefits, such as controlling blood pressure and improving vascular health. Scientists consider Himalayan salt to be the purest form of salt, as it has been buried under mountains for millions of years and contains an abundance of trace minerals beneficial for health.
Himalayan Salt vs Sea Salt
- Sea salt is obtained by evaporating seawater, whereas Himalayan salt is mined from salt caves near the Himalayas in Pakistan.
- Sea salt retains many trace elements from its water source, but Himalayan salt is considered purer due to its age and isolation under mountains for thousands of years.
- Sea salt lacks iodine, but Himalayan salt contains not only iodine but also around 80 other minerals.
- Himalayan salt is much older than sea salt.
- Himalayan salt contains more minerals than sea salt.
