Derived from seawater, sea salts contain a variety of
trace minerals such as potassium, magnesium and calcium.
Sea Salt
What is sea salt? – Sea salt is a type of salt that is made
by evaporating seawater or salt water lakes, unlike regular salt that is taken
from sedimentary deposits.1 Sea salt is a popular seasoning in
many dishes as it is known for having a coarse texture and strong flavor. For
those wondering, does sea salt have iodine in it? Yes, sea salt does contain
iodine just like regular table salt, however it contains much less iodine. Most
table salt is iodized, which means they add extra iodine into the product
during processing.
Is Sea Salt Good for You?
The sodium content in table salt and sea salt is roughly
the same, as both contain approximately forty percent sodium by weight.1
You may wonder, is sea salt healthy? Many believe that
sea salt contains less sodium than most regular salts however this has been
proven to be incorrect. Sea salt nutrition facts show that a ¼ teaspoon of sea
salt contains about 575 mg of sodium.
The main difference between these salts is that sea salt is
made with very minimal processing, and contains sea salt minerals like
magnesium, potassium and calcium.1
Benefits of Sea Salt
While sea salt should be consumed in moderation, there are a
few sea salt health benefits. Since sea salt is less processed it does contain
trace amounts of minerals such as magnesium, potassium, and calcium, unlike
regular salt that often has these minerals removed during processing.1 Below
is an overview of the health benefits of sea salt.
Source of Magnesium
Sea salt is a good source of the mineral magnesium which is essential for heart health, energy production, and bone and cell formation.2
Sea salt is a good source of the mineral magnesium which is essential for heart health, energy production, and bone and cell formation.2
Source of Potassium
Potassium can improve heart and bone health while reducing the risk of stroke or heart disease.3 Sea salt can also help balance your sodium-potassium ratios in the body which is essential for fluid balance and preventing dehydration.
Potassium can improve heart and bone health while reducing the risk of stroke or heart disease.3 Sea salt can also help balance your sodium-potassium ratios in the body which is essential for fluid balance and preventing dehydration.
Source of Calcium
Sea salt contains calcium which is an essential mineral for the maintenance of healthy bones and for proper brain, muscle and immune system function.4
Sea salt contains calcium which is an essential mineral for the maintenance of healthy bones and for proper brain, muscle and immune system function.4
Support Electrolyte Balance
Sea salt is also said to support electrolyte balance in the body. Sea salt is made up of electrolytes like sodium, magnesium and potassium all of which are essential for the maintenance of good health.2,3
Sea salt is also said to support electrolyte balance in the body. Sea salt is made up of electrolytes like sodium, magnesium and potassium all of which are essential for the maintenance of good health.2,3
Reduce Joint Pain and Relax Muscles
Different types of sea salt are often used in baths for its ability to reduce joint pain and relax sore, tired muscles. When added to water, the minerals in sea salt are then able to be absorbed through the skin. Bathing in Dead Sea salt is known to have positive effects on the texture and appearance of skin while reducing inflammation.5
Different types of sea salt are often used in baths for its ability to reduce joint pain and relax sore, tired muscles. When added to water, the minerals in sea salt are then able to be absorbed through the skin. Bathing in Dead Sea salt is known to have positive effects on the texture and appearance of skin while reducing inflammation.5
Improve the Appearance of Skin
Sea salt has also been added to a variety of cosmetics, such as exfoliating scrubs and washes, as exfoliating with sea salt is said to remove dead skin, encourage circulation and renew the skin.
Sea salt has also been added to a variety of cosmetics, such as exfoliating scrubs and washes, as exfoliating with sea salt is said to remove dead skin, encourage circulation and renew the skin.
In a meta-analysis, sea salt from the Dead Sea was shown to
naturally improve the appearance of psoriasis.6
Alleviate Symptoms of Rheumatologic Diseases
In the same meta-analysis, Dead sea salt mud or balneotherapy (bath therapy) were shown to improve symptoms of various rheumatologic diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis and knee osteoarthritis.6
In the same meta-analysis, Dead sea salt mud or balneotherapy (bath therapy) were shown to improve symptoms of various rheumatologic diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis and knee osteoarthritis.6
Support Oral Health
Sea salt may help support your oral health as it may contain fluoride which provides cavity protection. Gargling regularly with salt water is claimed to help bleeding gums, prevent mouth sores and even help a sore throat.
Sea salt may help support your oral health as it may contain fluoride which provides cavity protection. Gargling regularly with salt water is claimed to help bleeding gums, prevent mouth sores and even help a sore throat.
Improve Allergies
Sea salt has traditionally been used as a home remedy to improve allergy symptoms. Breathing in sea salt is said to reduce inflammation in the nasal cavity and respiratory system. Many people add small amounts of sea salt to water and drink the mixture to balance minerals in the body and stop congestion.
Sea salt has traditionally been used as a home remedy to improve allergy symptoms. Breathing in sea salt is said to reduce inflammation in the nasal cavity and respiratory system. Many people add small amounts of sea salt to water and drink the mixture to balance minerals in the body and stop congestion.
Treat Acne
It is also believed that sea salt can improve and treat acne. Thanks to the natural coarse texture, washing your face with sea salt and water may help cleanse the skin and unclog pores. Users report it helps dry up excess oils on the skin, leaving your face feeling fresh and clean.
It is also believed that sea salt can improve and treat acne. Thanks to the natural coarse texture, washing your face with sea salt and water may help cleanse the skin and unclog pores. Users report it helps dry up excess oils on the skin, leaving your face feeling fresh and clean.
Although sea salt is produced around the world, the
location, extraction method and environment can drastically change the appearance,
taste and texture.
Types of Sea Salt
There are many different variations of sea salt to enjoy.
Below is an overview of nine different varieties of sea salt with information
about each type of sea salt, along with where it originated from, its color and
taste.
Dead Sea Salt
This type of sea salt is taken from the Dead Sea and unlike
regular salt, it has much lower levels of sodium-chloride and higher amounts of
magnesium chloride. It has traditionally been used to treat a variety of
inflammatory diseases, and is known to improve the skin.5 A
study found that participants with atopic dry skin saw overall positive
improvements to their skin, including improved hydration and a decrease in
inflammation and roughness when bathing with Dead Sea salt.5 Eczema
sufferers may also find similar benefits of bathing with this type of salt as
it may reduce redness and smooth the skin.
Celtic Sea Salt
For those wondering, what is Celtic sea salt? It isn’t a
type of salt at all, it is a popular brand. Celtic Sea Salt® is a family owned
brand that has been selling sea salts from around the world since 1976. Their
variety of natural, unrefined salts are written in several recipe, health and
nutrition books.
Pink Himalayan Sea Salt
This salt is found in Pakistan near the Himalaya
Mountains. It’s said to have a subtler flavor, as it contains more minerals
than regular salt.
Himalayan sea salt is also known as pink sea salt for its
light rosy hue that is caused by the trace minerals in the salt. While it can
be added to flavor dishes in the kitchen, this type of salt has also been used
to make salt
lamps. Himalayan pink sea salt is often debated for its healing benefits
with some claiming it cleanses the air and relaxes the mind.
Black Lava Sea Salt
Black lava sea salt is known as black sea salt. It is dark
in color and contains a blend of sea salt mixed with purified volcanic
charcoal. This type of salt comes from Hawaii, which is where it gets its
nickname of black Hawaiian sea salt. Charcoal is known for its detoxifying
properties and adds a pungent, earthy flavor to this sea salt.
Red Hawaiian Sea Salt
Hawaiian sea salt, also known as Alaea salt or red sea salt,
is pinkish-brown in coloring. This is caused by mixing the salt with red
alae volcanic clay which adds iron oxide, and also gives the salt an earthier
taste. This type of sea salt was traditionally used by Hawaiian natives as a
food preservative and for cooking in a variety of different Hawaiian dishes.
Smoked Sea Salt
This variation of sea salt is smoked over different kinds of
wood to change its flavor and is quite dark in color. Depending on the type of
wood it is smoked over, the salt can taste bold or even sweet and it is used to
add a smoky flavor to various dishes. The most common types of wood used to
smoke sea salt are alder wood, apple wood, hickory, mesquite and oak.
Mediterranean Sea Salt
Mediterranean Sea salt is taken from the waters of the
Mediterranean Sea. This type of salt differs because of its extraction process
– once the salt is harvested it is then left to evaporate in the sun.
Mediterranean Sea salt is white in color and has a similar taste to regular sea
salt.
Flake Sea Salt
Fleur de sel gets its name from the flower shaped pattern
in the salt crystals.
Flake sea salt differs from regular sea salt as it has a
softer, flakier texture. This type of sea salt is known as one of the fastest
dissolving of all the salts and adds a subtle briny flavor to dishes.
Fleur de Sel
Fleur de sel, which is French for flower of salt, is a salt
that forms a thin, delicate layer on the surface of seawater as it evaporates
and has been extracted since ancient times. It is reported as being one of the
rarest types of sea salt on earth because its collection process can only be
carried out during certain times of year.
Kosher Salt vs. Sea Salt
So, what is the difference between sea salt and kosher salt?
The main difference is in the grain size. Kosher salt has irregular flakes that
are larger than regular table salt and contains no added iodine which is why it
tastes less salty. Sea salt is known to be coarser in texture with a stronger
flavor.
Sea Salt vs. Table Salt
Many will debate sea salt vs. salt and wonder, is sea salt
better than regular salt? The answer is yes. While they have similar
nutritional information, sea salt is considered to be better for you then
regular table salt. Sea salt is not processed the same way as table salt, which
is taken from salt deposits and processed into a fine texture.1 Sea
salt does not have added iodine and contains more trace minerals like iron,
magnesium, potassium and calcium, all of which promote good health.
Where to Buy Sea Salt
If you are wondering where to buy sea salt, it is available
for purchase at most grocery or health food stores. Varieties like Dead Sea
salt, Black Lava sea salt, red Hawaiian sea salt, and fleur de sel can be
harder to find in store and can instead be purchased online at Amazon or
Walmart.
Scientific Research Referenced in this Article
- American
Heart Association (2017). Sea Salt vs. Table Salt, American Heart
Association. Retrieved November 7, 2017 from – View
Reference
- National
Institutes of Health (2016, February 11) Magnesium. Retrieved November 7,
2017 from https://ods.od.nih.gov/FactSheets/magnesium/
- Weaver,
C. M. (2013). Potassium and Health. Advances in Nutrition, 4(3),
368S–377S. http://doi.org/10.3945/an.112.003533
- National
Institutes of Health (2016, February 11). Calcium. Retrieved November 9,
2017 https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Calcium-HealthProfessional/
- Proksch,
E., Nissen, H.-P., Bremgartner, M. and Urquhart, C. (2005), Bathing in a
magnesium-rich Dead Sea salt solution improves skin barrier function,
enhances skin hydration, and reduces inflammation in atopic dry
skin. International Journal of Dermatology, 44: 151–157. doi:10.1111/j.1365-4632.2005.02079.x
- Katz,
U., Shoenfeld, Y., Zakin, V., Sherer, Y., & Sukenik, S. (2012).
Scientific Evidence of the Therapeutic Effects of Dead Sea Treatments: A
Systematic Review. Seminars in Arthritis and Rheumatism, 42(2), 186-200.
doi:1016/j.semarthrit.2012.02.006
- Celtic
Sea Salt (2017) Celtic Sea Salt. Retrieved December 2017 from – View Reference
No comments:
Post a Comment