Mineral Salts: Himalayan Vs Dead Sea Vs Epsom Salt

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

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