Top 10 Benefits Of Himalayan Pink Salt, Are They True?
Himalayan pink salt has been credited with more than 10 benefits. Some even sell it as a superfood or healing product. What does the evidence say about it? Is it as good as it looks?
Himalayan pink salt is a type of salt that comes from the mountains of Pakistan, specifically from Khewra, near the foothills of the Himalayas. In recent years it has become quite popular, as a wide variety of health properties are attributed to it.
In fact, some consider it “the purest salt on the planet” and claim that it is much healthier than traditional table salt. But… how true is this? Can it actually help improve health? Below we detail its main properties and solve these questions.
What is pink Himalayan salt?
As we already mentioned, Himalayan pink salt is a type of pink-colored salt that is mined from a salt mine that is near the Himalayas. Its defenders point out that it is one of the purest salts on the planet, although these claims have been questioned.
In fact, in a publication made in Science-Based Medicine it is said that, precisely, its color is due to impurities. The reason? In its natural state, pure sodium chloride is white. Therefore, it is ironic to announce it as the purest salt, when its very color conceals such a statement.
Now, speaking of sodium chloride, it should be noted that this is the main component of Himalayan salt. It also contains about 84 trace minerals, which is precisely why it is said to be a healthier salt.
However, this has also been questioned, and even denied, by some experts. According to the aforementioned publication, many of these minerals are in barely detectable amounts.
Furthermore, to date only 15 minerals are known to play important roles in biological processes, while 7 are considered “possibly essential, but not confirmed.”
Thus, the presence of all these trace minerals is not a reason to claim that this salt is “super healthy . ” Even some of those it contains, such as mercury, arsenic, lead and thallium, are actually harmful, although in this product they are in minimal quantities.
Does Himalayan salt have 10 benefits?
Himalayan salt has been credited with 10 and more benefits since it began to gain popularity. Even distributors were responsible for selling it as a “healing” product that can improve the health and quality of life. With no scientific evidence to back it up, Himalayan salt is said to help:
- Fight fluid retention.
- Regulate the pH of the blood.
- Increase the absorption of nutrients.
- Increase the energy level.
- Improve vascular health.
- Reduce high blood pressure.
- Fight migraines.
- Calm muscle cramps.
- Detoxify the body.
- Promote sleep patterns.
However, nutritionists and scientists have managed to disprove many of the claims made in this regard.
Ramón de Cangas, dietician-nutritionist, doctor in Molecular and Functional Biology and member of the Spanish Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, explained to the newspaper El País, Spain, that Himayala salt “provides the same amounts of sodium as salt from table”.
Therefore, according to the expert, the recommendations for salt consumption established by the World Health Organization (WHO) are applicable. That is, as with traditional table salt, its consumption should not exceed 5 grams per day, that is, the equivalent of a teaspoon of coffee.
A question of marketing
Despite the popularity of Himayala pink salt and its supposed benefits, there is no evidence to show that it is healthier than normal table salt. There is also no full guarantee of its “purity” and much of its popularity is due more to marketing than science.
Therefore, investing in this type of salt can entail more expenses than benefits. It is much more expensive than traditional salt and must be used with the same precautions.
