At present, having food in our kitchen that favors the physiological and functional stability of the organism is very important and without a doubt one of them is salt.
In the world there are varieties of this mineral , but due to its obtaining, they provide each of them with particular properties.
In this sense, Himalayan salt has been considered as a food component, due to the trace elements present in it.
In the following article, we describe in detail the benefits of this mineral in the functioning of the human organism.
What is Himalayan salt?
Himalayan salt is one of the types of salt in the world, along with white salt, kosher salt, and sea salt .
With some peculiar characteristics, Himalayan salt is very interesting , both for the table and for therapeutic use . It comes from the Khewra salt mine in the Jhelum district of Pakistan, which is the second largest mine in the world.
Note: It is composed of 98% NaCl (sodium chloride) and 2% trace elements or trace elements, including iron, responsible for giving the mineral its characteristic reddish color.
Its history goes back more than 250 million years . This salt, with the passage of time, the mines where it was found dried up and left this rock salt as deposits. It retained its natural purity , thanks to the mountainous region that protected it from chemicals and pollutants.
This is one of the reasons why Himalayan pink salt is now one of the healthiest and most demanded natural foods by man.
To preserve its purity, this salt is extracted manually from its natural reserves, it does not contain additives or preservatives like those present in common table salt.
Himalayan salt properties
The properties of Himalayan salt are based on the content of trace elements it has, and which we describe below:
minerals
Compared to refined salt, it has a similar amount of sodium and chlorine , but the difference is that pink salt naturally provides traces of minerals such as: calcium, potassium, magnesium, sulfur, iron, manganese, fluorine, iodine, zinc and chrome.
Important: In an article carried out by the Faculty of Biopharmacy of the Megatrend University , in Serbia, a characterization of the components of Himalayan salt was carried out , which validates the aforementioned (1) .
Himalayan salt benefits for health
The benefits described below were made on the basis of the trace elements present in Himalayan salt:
Improves blood pressure
The combination of trace elements such as calcium, magnesium and potassium contained in Himalayan salt, help to balance blood pressure.
Potassium helps relax the walls of blood vessels , which lowers blood pressure. Magnesium helps in the transport of potassium and calcium specifically helps in the contraction of blood vessels, a fact that inevitably raises blood pressure.
strengthens the bones
Fluoride , contained in Himalayan salt, helps fix calcium in the bones , copper has a decisive influence on bone strength, preventing diseases such as osteoporosis .
Reduces cramps and muscle tension
As mentioned above, Himalayan salt contains magnesium , which is a mineral that must be kept in balance with calcium, sodium, and potassium for the neuromuscular system to function properly and thus prevent involuntary muscle contractions.
Reduces migraines
Minerals such as copper, magnesium and sulfur, present in Himalayan salt, mitigate the effects of migraines.
Regulates the ph of the skin
Conversely, foods that contain iron, sulfur, and phosphorus , such as meat, eggs, dairy products, and nuts, promote acidity . Maintaining balanced acidity and alkalinity is the key to a proper functioning of the body.
These minerals form alkaline reactions in the body and are found mainly in fruits and vegetables.
Note: Himalayan salt contains trace minerals of calcium, magnesium, sodium, potassium and zinc that keep the amount of acids and alkalis in balance.
Contributes to sleep quality
Maintaining optimal magnesium levels protects metabolic health , stabilizes mood, keeps stress in check, and promotes better sleep.
Note: Himalayan salt can help improve sleep quality , due to the amounts of magnesium it contains.
increases energy
The zinc content in Himalayan salt stabilizes the cell membrane and participates in the manufacture of insulin, among others. This mineral is used in various biological reactions , in the muscles, brain , bones and cells.
Its role is important, because it allows the body to produce energy . About 8-12 mg a day are required , and its joint intake with vitamin C increases its absorption.
On the other hand, the iron content of pink salt helps oxygen to circulate throughout the body and is necessary for cells to develop and function properly.
Important: Iron deficiency often leads to anemia , which can impair cognitive abilities, lower immunity, and negatively affect job performance. A zinc deficiency could lower energy levels.
Contributes to the absorption of nutrients
The content of sodium, chromium, zinc and manganese, which Himalayan salt has, act in the processing of carbohydrates , stimulate fatty acids and cholesterol, in addition to contributing to the absorption of nutrients for the organism .
Considerations on the consumption of Himalayan salt
Considering that the composition of Himalayan salt contains 98% sodium chloride and 2% trace minerals , it is also necessary to reflect on its consumption. Here we give you the most important:
It can generate hypertension
When salt intake is above the amount recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) , (5 grms) , it can cause fluid retention in the body, leading to increased blood pressure. (two)
It can cause kidney problems
The kidneys function as the body’s filter. Among the minerals that filter, is sodium chloride (salt). These crystals are deposited on the walls of the kidneys, forming stone, called kidney stones .
Note: Kidney stones limit and even destroy the functional structure of the kidneys, preventing their detoxifying function.
May cause fluid retention
To compensate for the increase in sodium chloride in the body , what it does is retain water , causing an increase in the volume of blood in the blood vessels and with it an increase in blood pressure .
Important: The consumption of Himalayan salt should not exceed the minimum recommended values.
Key Findings
- Himalayan salt comes from the Khewra Salt Mine in Pakistan, the second largest in the world.
- It is considered one of the healthiest natural elements and demanded by man, since it does not contain additives or preservatives.
- It contains minerals such as calcium, potassium, magnesium, sulfur, iron, iodine, zinc and chromium.
- It has great health benefits such as improving blood pressure, strengthening bones, reducing cramps and migraines, as well as regulating the pH of the skin.
- Its consumption should not exceed the recommended minimum amount of 5 grams per day, since it can cause fluid retention, hypertension and kidney problems.
University Professional in the area of Human Resources, Postgraduate in Occupational Health and Hygiene of the Work Environment, 14 years of experience in the area of health. Interested in topics of Psychology, Occupational Health, and General Medicine.