Welcome to the first in a series of Boulder Salt Company discussions about the ingredients of popular salts on the market, and which of those ingredients actually contribute to health. We begin with the question many ask: Is Himalayan salt healthy? To answer this question let’s start by contemplating what makes a healthy salt.
Of the roughly 15 minerals that our bodies require, half of them also function as electrolytes. Those minerals that function as electrolytes include sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, chloride, and bicarbonate. The balance of these electrolytes is very important. These electrolytes are the foundation of a healthy salt. The ingredients in a healthy salt are few compared to what is found in Himalayan salt. Having the correct ratio of these ingredients is critical to achieving excellent taste and providing a healthy salt. This delicate balance is not found anywhere in nature, it must be created from nature.
The balance of these electrolytes is very important. These electrolytes are the foundation of a healthy salt. The ingredients in a healthy salt are few compared to what is found in Himalayan salt. Having the correct ratio of these ingredients is critical to achieving excellent taste and providing a healthy salt. This delicate balance is not found anywhere in nature, it must be created from nature.
Low sodium does not improve the healthiness of salt. Instead, the most important factor is the presence of potassium and other electrolytes in the right ratio. It is this balance of electrolytes that makes up a healthy salt. So a healthy salt must have all of the key electrolytes our bodies require, in ratios that are similar to what our bodies need, is free of unnecessary contaminants, and tastes good.
As the name suggests, Himalayan salt is sourced near the Himalayan mountains in Pakistan. With a distinctive pink color, Himalayan salt has become very trendy in recent years, with many people claiming it has increased health benefits versus regular salt.
The main reason for this belief is the large number of minerals and trace elements that can be found in Himalayan salt. This has led to many health claims and Himalayan salt has come to be seen as a superior, healthy alternative to regular table salt.
So, what minerals are in Himalayan salt, and is it actually more healthy?
Himalayan salt ingredients include 80-some minerals, so over 65 of these are either harmful or are not helpful.
According to Harriet Hall, M.D. of The Society for Science-based Medicine:
“Only about a quarter of the minerals in Himalayan pink salt are nutrients that the human body can or might be able to use. The other three quarters are not recognized as nutrients and would be better classified as contaminants. They have no known health benefits, and many of them are known to be harmful. The list includes many poisons like mercury, arsenic, lead, and thallium. Himalayan salt ingredients also include radioactive elements: radium, uranium, polonium, plutonium, and many others.”
Himalayan salt may look attractive and it may have a pleasing taste. However, it has most of the drawbacks of common table salt and more. Enjoying Himalayan salt on special occasions is not likely to cause trouble, but the cumulative effect of using it regularly is a different story.
As many nutrition experts and doctors have written, Himalayan salt is no more healthy than common table salt. We believe that Himalayan salt contains toxic and radioactive minerals that make it more hazardous when used over time. The table below compares the basic ingredients of Table Salt, Himalayan Salt, and Boulder Salt.
|
|
Sodium |
Chloride |
Magnesium |
Calcium |
Potassium |
Bicarbonate |
|
Table Salt |
39.10% |
60.80% |
0.00% |
0.01% |
0.09% |
0.00% |
|
Himalayan Salt |
36.80% |
62.64% |
0.10% |
0.18% |
0.28% |
0.00% |
|
Boulder Salt |
22.00% |
34.00% |
9.00% |
5.00% |
9.00% |
21.00% |
The reasons Himalayan Salt is not healthy are that its electrolyte content is far from balanced and many minerals in Himalayan salt are harmful or unnecessary. Himalayan Salt is not that healthy, and there is one great healthy salt alternative.
Boulder Salt is a revolutionary healthy salt alternative. It is actually a formulated mixture of high purity salts developed with health and taste in mind. No other salt on the market that has biologically meaningful levels of not only sodium and chloride, but potassium, magnesium, calcium, and bicarbonate. It is the first truly healthy salt that you can use every day with confidence!
Next time we will take a look at Sea Salt.
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Bring your salt questions to the experts at Boulder Salt!
Salt is all about the balance of minerals it gives your body. Too much of the wrong ones, and it can harm your health, but the right balance of vital minerals, and it can be a healthy and necessary part of your diet. Boulder Salt is formulated to limit your sodium intake (which gives salt its bad headlines), and maximize other minerals such as magnesium and potassium.
It is the first truly healthy salt that you can use every day with confidence, so learn more about it!
Next time we will take a look at Sea Salt .
