“… what good is salt, if it has lost its flavor?” – Matthew 5:13
I’m going to take it a step further… what good is salt, if it has lost all of its valuable nutrients?
I’m sure you’ve heard the following statements a thousand times…
“Salt is bad for you”
“Salt causes high blood pressure”
But, have you ever considered that these statements may actually be referring to refined, white table salt?
Refined, poor quality salt has definitely done it’s fair share in giving authentic salt a bad reputation. In fact, by the time table salt has reached your plate, it has been chemically adulterated and refined to the point where, calling it “salt” is actually quite a stretch.
The molecular structure of table salt is so far from its original state, that you cannot even find an equivalent of it in nature.
Why is this a problem?
The consumption of refined table salt is often the underlying culprit in hypertension, neurological degeneration, hormonal imbalance and stroke.
Why? Because it has been stripped of all its balancing agents and replaced with toxic materials.
And, I’m sure you’re thinking; but, how can this be?
Unfortunately, the process of creating table salt involves bleaching and the addition of chemical additives such as yellow prussiate (an anti-clumping agent) to make it more appealing for consumption. Also, most table salt is such poor quality because it originates from polluted oceans, containing indigestible contaminants.
Tests have even found micro-sized plastic in white table salt. Yes, the same material commonly used to make water bottles (polyethylene terephthalate, polyethylene, cellophane etc).
But salt is in everything! How can I avoid it?
The solution: Choose to upgrade, not to eliminate.
If you frequently dine at restaurants or choose to consume processed food, exposure to low-quality, table salt is unavoidable. However, if you carefully select restaurants that adhere to higher standards for their ingredients, you can drastically reduce your consumption of refined salts.
Additionally, eating more whole foods and less processed foods will give you ultimate control over your sodium intake.
Eliminating salt completely from ones diet is far from the ideal solution, because human beings actually need salt.
Studies have shown that there are actually “two-faces” to low-salt intake. And, although some studies have shown positive results from a reduction of sodium intake, others have displayed a low-sodium diet to be potentially damaging to the nervous system.
My personal take? Moderate consumption is key, but only if it’s high quality.
Where to begin…
Aside from limiting your consumption of processed foods, upgrading to a more nutritious salt is the best way to reap all the benefits that a pure high quality salt has to offer. Widely available options include: Himalayan Salt and Celtic Sea Salt.
Upgrading to Himalayan Salt (aka pink salt) is a great way to improve your diet, while promoting a healthy body pH. The nutritional benefits hidden in Himalayan Salt are significant… and here’s why!
Himalayan Salt
- Originates from a clean source: Regarded as the purest salt on Earth; Himalayan Salt was created in the remote, unpolluted Himalayan Mountains over 250 million years ago
- Extracted ethically: Himalayan Salt is minimally processed, hand-mined and hand washed
- Unrefined: Himalayan Salt contains over 84 naturally-occurring trace elements, vital for maintaining optimal health
- Health promoting: Himalayan Salt improves hormonal balance and cellular health, regulates and stabilizes blood pressure, balances the pH, promotes bone health and serves as a natural digestive aid.
The trace minerals found in pure Himalayan Salt contain nearly all of the valuable nutrients we, as human beings, need. These nutrients are completely absent in refined table salt.
Just a few of the essential minerals found in Himalayan Salt are:
- Iron
- Copper
- Potassium
- Calcium
- Magnesium
- Manganese
- Selenium
- Zinc
The combination of 85% sodium chloride (NaCl) along with 15% trace minerals, helps the body regulate salt intake more effectively. By comparison, typical table salt can contain roughly 95% or more NaCl.
Choosing the right Himalayan Salt
When purchasing Himalayan Salt, it is important to ensure it originates from Pakistan; the only true source of Himalayan Salt. These salts are often sold at a higher price, making them increasingly beneficial and less prone to contain impurities.
Organic Opulence’s Pick
This Himalayan Salt has been my go-to salt for years. The taste is absolutely superb and I love how the brand stands for excellence in their product.
One of the best parts about this salt, is that it is packaged in HimalaSalt’s exclusive solar-powered facility, eliminating any possibility of cross-contamination. Because this facility only processes Himalayan Salt, you will never find a warning to “the possibility of trace wheat, nuts and shellfish” displayed on its label.
HimalaSalt is committed to ensuring transparency and purity throughout the entire production process. This commitment even extends to their cleaning practices where they only use natural cleansers, like organic apple cider vinegar and hot water to clean their equipment.
HimalaSalt is widely available and you can purchase HimalaSalt at your local natural foods grocer, Whole Foods Market, Thrive Market or directly from their website.
For more information on Himalayan Salt from HimalaSalt feel free to visit: https://www.himalasalt.com/
And, for more information regarding the effects of Sodium Chloride on health, feel free to visit these resources below:
