Interested in the science behind Himalayan Pink Salt?
What color is the salt shaker on your kitchen counter or dining room table?
If your salt shaker is looking rather pink lately, you’re in good company. White salt used to be the standard in homes and restaurants once upon a time. But nowadays, pink salt is all the rage.
Is there even a difference? Believe it or not, Himalayan pink salt is different from white salt. And it’s much more beneficial to our health.
The science surrounding pink Himalayan salt isn’t just hype, either.
Here’s a breakdown of its potential health benefits.
Understanding the Basics of Salt
It’s no secret that salt is one of the most important minerals on Earth. It makes up our oceans. It’s found all over the world, from the depths of the Dead Sea to the heights of the Himalayas.
It plays a major role in not only human survival, but for virtually all mammals. The sodium and chloride ions that form salt are integral to digestion. Salt also helps with the body’s re-hydration and detoxification processes.
Salt naturally has an off-white, translucent appearance. But impurities can cause it to turn pink, red, and even purple.
What Is Himalayan Pink Salt?
Pink salt gets its signature hue from traces of other minerals in the Punjabi Himalayas. Humans have mined it for centuries. Pakistanis have historically used this pink salt to flavor food.
In the last century, humans have begun to use this pink salt for therapeutic reasons. Chances are you’ve seen a Himalayan salt lamp. It’s essentially a lamp made from a hefty chunk of pink Himalayan salt rock.
You might’ve even heard about Himalayan salt baths, body scrubs, and so on. But can science back up all the claims Himalayan salt fans rave about?
Here’s what we know…
It’s One of the Purest Salts in the World
Did you know standard table salt is not naturally white? The type of table salt you’re probably used to is actually treated with bleach. But that’s not all.
White table salt is only about 97% pure sodium and chloride.
What’s in the other 3%? There’s potassium iodide, sodium fluoride, and other synthetic chemicals and additives.
While there are some benefits to a few of these chemicals, our bodies can’t break them down completely.
Have you ever wondered why white table salt pours out so nicely without clumps? That’s because it contains anti-caking chemicals, as well.
Unlike white table salt, pink Himalayan salt is pure. No additives, no synthetic chemicals.
Himalayan Salt Is More Natural
Remember how Himalayan salt gets its pink hue from other minerals?
There are traces of dozens of other minerals in Himalayan salt. These minerals include calcium, magnesium, iron, and iodine.
The amounts of these minerals in Himalayan salt may be small. But instead of additives and anti-caking agents, these minerals are natural.
Himalayan pink salt is similar in structure to refined white salt. Because other minerals make up Himalayan rock salt, it may contain less sodium.
Hypertension is an ongoing health problem all over the world. If Himalayan salt contains less sodium, it may be a potentially healthier alternative.
Himalayan Salt Is Healthier Than Sea Salt
Himalayan salt is not the only naturally occurring salt in the world. Many types of salt come from evaporated sea water.
Unfortunately, pollution levels are rising all over the world. Each year, over 12 million tonnes of plastic flow into the oceans.
Scientists not only believe humans are now consuming more plastic than ever before. Studies show that plastic pollution in the oceans has contaminated sea salt.
It’s not yet known what kinds of consequences will result from this. But it does conclude that sea salt is, unfortunately, no longer untainted.
Human pollution has not yet affected Himalayan pink salt. So, it’s not only a more natural alternative to refined table salt. It may now be healthier than sea salt altogether.
Himalayan Salt Can Promote Our Well-Being
Not only is Himalayan salt a purer and more natural alternative to other salts. Himalayan salt may be capable of purifying the air around you.
Earlier we mentioned the appearance of a Himalayan salt lamp. But did you know that exposure to Himalayan salt can reduce anxiety and improve memory?
You may be wondering how a rock of Himalayan salt is capable of this. To understand further, it’s important to know a little bit about how ions work.
The Science of Negative Ions & Himalayan Salt
There are positive and negative ions continually floating in the air around you. Some elements in the environment produce positive ions. Others produce negative ions.
Negative ions relieve depression and boost our energy levels. They can even increase oxygen flow to our brains.
Negative ions are heavily present in environments surrounded by water. That’s why you may feel calm, energized, or happy after a thunderstorm, at the beach, or near a waterfall.
A Himalayan salt lamp doesn’t just serve as a source of light. The lamp heats up the rock when turned on. As this occurs, the salt attracts evaporated water particles in the air.
The result? The lamp helps to produce more negative ions into its environment. These ions may also be able to negate the effects of positive ions.
It’s believed that things like cellphones and laptops emit positive ions. They’re especially rampant in populated areas like cities.
Positive ions can interfere with our quality of sleep and make us depressed. But with more negative ions in the environment, we can cancel out the effects of positive ions.
Add a Dash of Himalayan Pink Salt to Your Life
The health benefits of Himalayan salt may be subtle. We may not fully understand the science behind this type of salt. But what we do know is this:
Himalayan pink salt is a pure and healthy alternative to regular table salt. And its health benefits are possibly more far-reaching than other types of salt.
Ready to swap out white for pink? Curious to try a Himalayan salt lamp? Experience the benefits for yourself with our collection of Himalayan salt products.