Himalayan pink salt is a popular weight loss aid used by many people today. Himalayan pink salt is also known as Dead Sea salt, or natural mineral crystal. It contains 70 minerals and trace elements, 83 percent of essential internal body salts, which help to balance the electrolytes. While our bodies can soak up other types of salts (like table salt or sea salt), we don’t absorb any of these minerals well
What is pink Himalayan salt?
People claim that pink Himalayan salt is healthier than regular salt.
Pink Himalayan salt is chemically similar to table salt. It contains up to 98 percent sodium chloride.
The rest of the salt consists of trace minerals, such as potassium, magnesium, and calcium. These give the salt its light pink tint.
These minerals also explain why Himalayan salt tastes different from regular table salt.
How is it used?
People use this type of salt and common table salt in the same way: As part of cooking, to season meals, and to preserve food.
Blocks of pink salt sometimes become serving dishes, cooking surfaces, and cutting boards. Some people also use pink Himalayan salt in place of bath salts. It is also possible to buy lamps and candleholders made of pink salt.
Why does the body need salt?
Sodium is an essential trace mineral found in salt. The body needs this for a variety of functions.
It can support:
- contracting and relaxing muscles
- maintaining proper fluid balance and preventing dehydration
- sending nervous system impulses
- preventing low blood pressure
Recent research has suggested that eating salt can reduce the riskTrusted Source of infection and kill harmful bacteria.
One study on animals has also led researchers to infer that salt may have a positive effect on symptoms of depression.
The Origin of Himalayan Pink Salt
In order to grasp the many benefits that derive from using Himalayan pink salt for weight loss, you must first understand how the rock salt first came about.
Originating from the Punjab region of Pakistan, the rock salt is mainly mined from the Khewra and Kalabagh plugging sites.
These mining sites are situated on the foothills of the Salt Range which are a part of the Indo-Gangetic Plain (of the Punjab Province). They came into existence more than 250 million years ago when oceans deposited salt beds into the region where the Himalayas now stand.
The ocean layers were subsequently uplifted by the formation of the Himalayas. For millions of years, the salt beds were blanketed in lava, all the while covered in ice and snow, thus protecting itself from any pollution.
Nutrition Information
Himalayan pink salt contains less sodium per serving than ordinary table salt. Table salt contains 2360 milligrams of sodium per teaspoon, whereas a teaspoon of Himalayan pink salt contains 1680 milligrams of sodium — a reduction of about one-third.
Himalayan pink salt can contain trace amounts of minerals that table salt does not, including:
- Zinc
- Iron
- Calcium
- Potassium
- Magnesium
This can vary depending on where the Himalayan pink salt is sourced. More importantly, some samples of Himalayan pink salt have been found to contain potentially toxic elements like arsenic, mercury, and lead.
Potential Health Benefits of Himalayan Pink Salt
While Himalayan pink salt can contain minerals that table salt does not, these minerals exist only in very small quantities. Scientists don’t believe that the amount of additional minerals in Himalayan pink salt is great enough to make a significant difference in your diet.
Even so, its similar chemical composition means that Himalayan pink salt has many of the same benefits as regular salt, which include:
Improved Respiratory Health
Many believe that salt therapy, which involves the inhalation of air infused with salt, is beneficial for respiratory conditions like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or COPD. Although much more research on this point is needed, scientists have found statistically significant improvements in questionnaires given to respondents with COPD who used a dry salt inhaler.
Prevention of Dehydration
Salt is necessary for maintaining adequate and balanced hydration levels in the body. Getting enough salt, especially before or after vigorous exercise, is needed to prevent dehydration caused by lost water and salt, a condition called hyponatremia.
Skin Care Benefits
Although more research is needed here, salt is believed to have a number of beneficial effects for various skin conditions like eczema, but this may also depend on where it’s sourced. The National Eczema Association recommends adding a cup of salt to bathwater as a relief for eczema flare-ups.
Potential Risks of Himalayan Sea Salt
There’s evidence to suggest that too much salt, including Himalayan pink salt, can damage various structures of the body. It’s important to bear these possible risks in mind and consume all kinds of salt in moderation.
Kidney Concerns
Because excess salt can cause high blood pressure, it can also increase the risk of developing chronic kidney disease, or CKD. Scientific guidelines advise a moderate salt intake to slow the progression of CKD in people who have it.
Heart Disease
High blood pressure is the leading cause of cardiovascular disease. While the science directly linking salt consumption with heart disease is itself inconclusive, too much salt is known to cause high blood pressure, establishing a possible indirect link.
Bone Disorders
Consuming too much salt may cause the level of calcium leached out of your body during urination to increase. As such, scientists suspect that excess salt could increase the risk of osteoporosis and other bone disorders, though more research is needed.
Hypernatremia (Excess Sodium)
The opposite of hyponatremia, hypernatremia is caused by excessive sodium levels in the blood. This is a serious condition that requires medical attention, though it is relatively uncommon.
The Benefits of Himalayan Pink Salt for Weight Loss
Himalayan salt has been mined for many centuries now. Historically speaking, it has been utilized to prepare as well as preserve food. Its Pink colour is caused by the trace minerals that are present in it. The shades vary between light pink colour and a more vibrant one.
Some sources claim that the contribution of Himalayan Pink Salt for Weight Loss is “natural and holistic in nature” and that its usage should be guided by “a healthy diet and lifestyle”.
According to the World Journal of Pharmaceutical Research, Himalayan salt contains 84 of the 94 trace minerals required by the body. Here’s a look at the some of the minerals found in Himalayan rock salt.
|
Amounts Per Selected Serving |
%DV |
|
|
Calcium |
113 mg |
11% |
|
Magnesium |
4.5 mg |
1% |
|
Potassium |
98.0 mg |
3% |
|
Sodium |
107131 mg |
4464% |
As per a few resources, that dwell on all things weight loss, incorporating “a teaspoon of Himalayan pink salt sole”, a recipe that consists of “water saturated with Himalayan pink salt” into your morning routine should help in your weight loss journey. The resource goes on to add that a Himalayan rock salt bath every other day should “attend to all those different areas of weight loss.”
Risks and considerations
Bear the following points in mind if using pink Himalayan salt:
Iodine intake
Iodine supports the thyroid glands. Pink salt contains less iodine that table salt and is less suitable for people with iodine deficiency.
Iodine is a mineral that the body needs for maintaining proper thyroid function and cell metabolism. Great sources of iodine include fish, sea vegetables, dairy, and eggs, among other foods.
Iodized salt is another common source of this trace mineral. Approximately 75 percentTrusted Source of households in the United States use iodized salt.
Although pink Himalayan salt may naturally contain some iodine, it most likely contains less iodine than iodized salt. Therefore, those who have iodine deficiency or are at risk of deficiency may need to source iodine elsewhere if using pink salt instead of table salt.
Sodium intake
Although sodium is necessary for preserving life, it is important to monitor the intake of any type of salt. While sodium is necessary in small quantities, too much can have a negative impact on health.
Those with kidney, heart, or liver issues, or people on a sodium-restricted diet, should monitor their sodium intake and limit their use of all salt, including pink Himalayan salt.
Even people in good health should monitor sodium intake. A 2016 reportTrusted Source from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states that over 90 percent of children and 89 percent of adults consume more than the recommended amount of sodium.
Too much sodium
The 2015 to 2020 Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommendTrusted Source that people eat less than 2,300 milligrams (mg) of sodium daily. This equates to approximately 1 teaspoon of regular table salt per day.
Those that have high blood pressure should limit sodium intake to 1500 mg per dayTrusted Source. Speak with a dietitian to determine dietary changes that can be made to limit sodium intake.
Salt contains 40 percent sodium. When being conscious of sodium intake, it can be helpful to know how much sodium is in certain amounts of salt.
Certain quantities of salt contain the following amounts of sodiumTrusted Source:
- 1/4 teaspoon salt: 575 mg sodium
- 1/2 teaspoon salt: 1,150 mg sodium
- 3/4 teaspoon salt: 1,725 mg sodium
- 1 teaspoon salt: 2,300 mg sodium
Most people consume much more than this.
When people take in more sodium than they need, their kidneys try to remove the excess through the urine. If the kidneys cannot remove enough sodium, it begins to build up in the fluid between cells, known as the interstitial fluid.
This causes both water volume and blood volume to increase, putting additional strain on the heart and blood vessels.
A number of serious health conditions are linked to high sodium intake, including:
- high blood pressure
- heart disease
- stroke
- liver damage
- osteoporosis
- kidney disease
Consuming too much salt might even contribute to autoimmune diseases, such as multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, and psoriasis, as it overstimulates the immune systemTrusted Source.
Research from 2015 suggests a direct link between salt intake and obesityTrusted Source, with a 1-g-per-day increase in salt intake being linked to an increase of over 25 percent in the risk of obesity in both adults and children.
Other Benefits and Myths
Aside from consuming Himalayan pink salt for weight loss, reports suggest that the rock salt may have other benefits as well. Furthermore, it would be of interest to note that the pink salt is enveloped in a string of misconceptions and myths. Here’s a look at a couple of them.
The Sodium Content
Some claims imply that Himalayan pink salt has far less sodium content than any other kind of salt such as table salt. But research suggests that both salts might have the same amounts of sodium content (98 per cent sodium chloride). The only difference is in the way each salt is measured.
Because Himalayan rock salt has bigger crystals, and is larger than regular table salt, the sodium content per spoon is far lesser. Moreover, since Himalayan salt is much saltier than table salt, people use very little of it to get the desired taste.
It is the More Natural Salt
Another area where people have differing points of view with regards to Himalayan salt and table salt is the fact that a few of them are of the opinion that Himalayan pink salt is more natural than other salts.
This myth may actually be a fact. The reason being – it is generally known that table salt is heavily refined, with a mix of anti-caking agents added to it in order to stop the salt from turning into lumps.
Whereas, Himalayan rock salt is far less artificial in nature and not to mention the fact that it doesn’t contain too many additives.
Weight Loss using Himalayan Pink Salt
The majority of our population suffers from obesity and unhealthy diet which leads to accumulation of fat on our stomach and thighs. This is the first sign of an unhealthy lifestyle and if this is not controlled in due time, it will takes its toll in the latter part of life.
A natural way to aid weight loss without the fear of side effects is the Himalayan pink salt. According to a few reports, people have reduced weight when they switched to the natural salt for their diet instead of the white table salt. This salt can be used just like the white salt: in flavoring, marinating, seasoning, preserving, etc. Another very popular method of using pink salt to promote weight loss is using Himalayan salt sole.
What is salt sole?
Himalayan salt appears reddish pink because of the addition of the mineral salts in it. The essence of the salt is in the salt sole.
To make this sole, put a handful of pink salt granules in a big jug of water overnight. Let is dissolve by itself. You can start using this sole from the next day, teaspoon by teaspoon. The salt sole will last until the salt dissolves completely.
How does the Himalayan Pink salt effects weight loss?
Salt content in the body causes retention of water inside the cells of the body through the known phenomenon of osmosis. The excess of water causes body to look swelled and fat; it often is also the cause of cellulite too. The Himalayan salt crystals unlike the common table salt release this extra water from the cells. It also decreases the craving by the body for food high in sugar content and carbohydrates.
How to do?
- For a natural way to intake mineral salts required for the growth and sustenance of the human body, use a teaspoon of concentrated Himalayan salt sole in a cup full of water and drink it on an empty stomach every morning.
- Use a Himalayan salt massage stone from time to time. It aids in removing accumulation of dead cells from the surface of the skin which removes toxins and other impurities with it. The massage technique also regulate the circulation of blood flow and health hormones inside the body which cause reduction in puffiness, calms down the nervous system, enhances metabolism and improves digestive system.
- It is also recommended that you use Himalayan bath salt twice a week to relieve symptoms of body sores and muscle pains.
- To target a particular area of the body for reduction of fat buildup, like stomach, thighs, hips, etc. we recommend ‘salt sole compress wraps’. Elastic bandages are soaked in a 5% solution of salt sole. (Make sure the water is lukewarm.) Wring the extra water out of it. Apply the bandage on the targeted area and let it sit there for an hour or so.
- Lastly, exercise and a healthy diet are mandatory to assist the use of Himalayan salt towards the goal of weight loss