Is Himalayan Pink Salt Healthier Than Table Salt?

Many health experts and nutritionists claim that Himalayan pink salt is better for your overall health when compared to traditional table salt. But is this really true, and is it really worth spending the extra money at the grocery store to grab some pink salt and replace your table salt? Keep reading to get the answer to this question.

The Different Types of Salt
There are many different types of salt available for use in your favorite recipes. These include kosher salt, fleur de sel, black Hawaiian sea salt, regular sea salt, table salt, flavored salt, Hiwa Kai, Kala Namak, and, of course, Himalayan pink salt. Despite the many different names, however, they are all pretty much the same chemical, which is sodium chloride. It is the trace amounts of other substances within the salt that will vary from one type to another. For example, table salt will be fortified with iodine in order to prevent deficiency.

Getting to Know Pink Salt
Himalayan pink salt is said to come from the Himalayan Mountains, and some people claim that it is the purest type of salt available. It is 85% sodium chloride, but the rest of it is a combination of more than 80 minerals. Some experts claim that it is these minerals that are valuable, and that differentiate Himalayan pink salt from table salt. These minerals could, for example, help to regulate your body’s water content, assist in the absorption of nutrients, remove toxins, balance the body’s pH, and even prevent muscle cramps.

What the Skeptics Say
Despite the many positive things that people have to say about Himalayan pink salt, there are also skeptics who claim that there isn’t enough of a difference between it and table salt to make it worthy of the extra cost. They claim that the mineral content in pink salt is so low that it likely won’t make any difference in a person’s health. Also, within the list of 80+ minerals in pink salt are radioactive and poisonous substances, such as polonium, thallium, uranium, and radium. Thankfully, these, too, are in such miniscule amounts that they won’t have an effect on your body.

When it comes to choosing what type of salt you want to use, pink salt may appeal to you for its mineral content, but if you want to stick with table salt, you can certainly do that. The key is to keep your salt intake in check, regardless of what type you choose.