Salt
is the most commonly used food seasoning because it enhances the flavor of
whatever you’re cooking. It is also an important additive in processed food (e.g.
bacons) since salt is an effective food preservative as it prevents bacteria
from growing into your food. Aside from food preparation, salt is also often
use in aromatherapy world in the form of scrubs and bath salts. Salt helps
exfoliates the skin by gently removing dead skin cells. Not to mention, salt is
a natural humectant, which means it can attract moisture to our skin.
When
it comes to types of salt, most people are only familiar with table salt. Table
salt is composed primarily of mineral sodium chloride and is often mixed with
iodine to form iodized salt. Many people shy away from table salt since too
much sodium in the body can raise blood pressure (FYI: table salt is about 97
to 99 percent sodium). Because table salt is heavily processed (e.g. bleached),
it is also stripped of other beneficial trace minerals (minerals that our body
need in small amount like iron, zinc, etc.).
Luckily,
there are other types of salt that contain small amount of trace
minerals (beside sodium) that are good for our body. The most popular ones are:
Himalayan, Dead Sea and Epsom salts. These salts have different mineral
composition making them unique from each other.
Himalayan Salt
Contrary
to popular belief, Himalayan salt is not actually sourced from the Himalayan
Mountains. It is mined from the Khewra
Salt Mine in Pakistan, which is near the Himalayan Mountains. Himalayan
salt is famous for its natural pink color which is due to its content of iron.
Just like table salt, Himalayan salt is composed primarily of sodium plus 84
other trace minerals (in very small amount) like iron, potassium, calcium,
among others.
Epsom Salt
Did
you know that Epsom salt is technically not a “salt”? In fact, it doesn’t even
contain sodium chloride which is found in most types of salt. Epsom salt is
actually a naturally occurring mineral compound of magnesium sulfate in crystal
form, which makes it looks like a salt. Its name is derived from its place of
origin – a saline spring at Epsom in Surrey, England.
Epsom
salt is rich in magnesium – an essential nutrient in the body. Magnesium is
especially known for its muscle relaxant and detoxification properties. That is
why Epsom salt is often used as a bath salt to relieve sore muscles, relax the
body and detoxify the skin from impurities.
Another
important mineral of Epsom salt is the sulfur (sulfate) – which is the third
most abundant mineral in the human body. Epsom salt contains about 13% sulfur.
Sulfur is an essential mineral for a great skin. It enhances skin cell
regeneration and has antibacterial properties which can treat acne and other
skin inflammations (e.g. eczema).
Unlike
other mineral salts, Epsom salt can’t be used for cooking since it tastes
really bitter! However, Epsom salt that is dissolved in water can occasionally be used as an oral
laxative to treat constipation. Magnesium in Epsom salt increases water in the
colon which promotes bowel movement. It is important to consult first a doctor
before taking Epsom salt as a laxative because overdose of magnesium can lead
to serious side effects. The doctor will tell you exactly how much Epsom salt
is safe to take orally.
Dead Sea Salt
Obvious
from its name, this salt comes from the Dead Sea – one of the saltiest bodies
of water in the world. The sea is too salty that no fish and aquatic plants can
survive in it, thus its moniker “dead” sea.
Compared
to table salt, Dead Sea salt (or just sea salt) contains less sodium chloride (less
than 20%) so it’s perfect for those who are into low-sodium diet. It is also
rich in magnesium (31 - 35%) and potassium (21 - 26%) which both play an
important role for the proper functioning of the body. Dead Sea salt also
contains small amount of minerals calcium, bromide and sulfur.
It’s
important to note that there are food grade and non-food grade Dead Sea salt.
Pure, unprocessed, non-food grade Dead Sea salt tastes bitter due to its high
magnesium content (just like Epsom salt). To make the salt edible (less bitter
to taste), companies selling food grade Dead Sea salts minimize their magnesium
content to make them salty just like a regular table salt.
Now,
the ultimate question most people want to know – are these mineral salts
healthier than a regular table salt? In my opinion, the answer depends on
your current health condition. If you have high blood pressure, then it would
be healthier for you to choose Dead Sea salt because it has less sodium and
more potassium (which can lower blood pressure). If you have a goiter (caused
by iodine deficiency), then table salt fortified with iodine (a.k.a. iodized
salt) is a better choice as Himalayan, Dead Sea and Epsom salts have very
little to no iodine mineral.
Which
is your favorite mineral salt? Share them on the comment section below J
P.S.
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