Are you curious about the pink salt you’ve been seeing everywhere? Scrubs with Himalayan salt. Lamps. Rubs. There are numerous reasons why Himalayan salt has grown in popularity! Here are seven science-backed Himalayan salt benefits, as well as everything you need to remember about this natural health “rock” star!
The Advantages of Pink Himalayan Salt
Himalayan salt is a rock salt found in Pakistan’s Punjab region. Himalayan salt, mined in the Himalayan foothills, possesses dozens of trace minerals that give it its rosy hue.
According to research, it is one of the purest salts available. It comes in a variety of types, from exfoliating bath salts to cooking brines and salt lamps.
Isn’t salt unhealthy? No!
The majority of the salt we consume comes from processed foods rather than table salt.
When considering the benefits of Himalayan salt, the first thing that may come to mind is the nutritional attributes of salt in general.
The widely held belief that salt is bad for your health is partially correct. Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States, and we know that high blood pressure, high cholesterol levels, and eating too much salt all play a role. However, the vast majority of the salt we consume comes from processed foods rather than pure sea salts that are mineral-rich.
The American Heart Association recommends that we limit our daily sodium intake to 1,500 mg, but the average American consumes more than 3,000 mg. Here’s how much sodium is in some common foods, and how that 3,000 mg can quickly add up:
155 mg per dash of table salt
700 mg per hot dog
750 mg in a fast-food cheeseburger
1200 mg per serving of frozen lasagna
Although eating too many processed and frozen foods can be harmful to our health, pure sea salt is high in minerals and assists our bodies in a variety of ways.
9 scientifically proven Himalayan salt benefits
Nutritional Advantages:
People who live in “Blue Zones” have relied on a Mediterranean diet for centuries. Sea salt is an essential component of the Mediterranean diet, which has been linked to increased longevity in studies.
The mineral content of Himalayan salt can aid in detoxification.
Himalayan salt is rich in minerals and elements such as potassium, iron, and calcium. All of these minerals help our bodies natural detoxification process and promote bacteria removal.
It has less sodium than processed table salt and helps to lower blood pressure.
Table salt is highly processed, has fewer minerals, and contains more sodium than Himalayan salt. When you replace table salt with Himalayan salt, your body processes it more easily because it doesn’t need as much water to flush out the excess sodium as it would if you had used table salt.
Furthermore, Himalayan salt is naturally high in iodine, which food manufacturers artificially add to table salt after processing. Himalayan salt contains natural iodine, which is very effective at assisting your body in creating an electrolyte balance, assisting your intestines in absorbing nutrients, and lowering blood pressure.
Contrary to popular belief, Himalayan salt can help with hydration.
Looking for a great post-workout hack? Drink some lemon water with sea salt.
The average adult body is composed of approximately 65% water. When we don’t drink the 64 ounces or so of water that we all need each day (which most of us don’t), our bodies notice. We will feel fatigued if the body’s water content drops by as little as 2%.
What role do sea salt and lemon water play? In the same way that popular sports beverages do. We lose minerals, or electrolytes when we sweat or exercise. After a workout, drinking water with a pinch of mineral-rich Himalayan salt can help you regain them, as well as your energy and hydration.
It aids digestion.
The high mineral content of Himalayan salt aids in the pH balance of your body. Our bodies have better immunity and are better able to process and digest food when our pH levels are balanced.
A recipe for a good night’s rest
Do you have a habit of waking up at 3 a.m.? It’s because of your salt intake that this is one of the most common times of night for people to wake up and struggle with sleep.
Sleep disturbances and interruptions to our ability to sleep occur between 2 a.m. and 4 a.m. as a result of biochemical reactions caused by a high level of stress hormones that flush through our system. According to research, low-sodium diets reduce blood volume in the sympathetic nervous system, which activates adrenaline and the “fight or flight” response.
Mix some raw honey with a pinch of Himalayan salt and eat it or put it in a cup of tea for a good night’s sleep.
Therapeutic Advantages:
SUPER TIP: Exfoliate dry winter skin with Himalayan salt and coconut oil.
Pink Himalayan salt lamps purify the air we breathe.
Himalayan salt is used for more than just cooking. Himalayan salt lamps are praised by holistic medical practitioners for their ability to purify indoor air, reduce allergies, and improve overall well-being.
Salt is hygroscopic by nature, which means it attracts water to its surface. The Himalayan lamp’s light causes the water it absorbs to evaporate quickly. Although there have been few studies on Himalayan salt lamps, it stands to reason that they would aid in mold reduction and allergy relief.
A simple way to boost our mood and well-being.
Aside from purifying the air, the glow produced by Himalayan salt lamps is a great antithesis to all of the devices we tend to look at just before going to sleep.
A growing body of research indicates that exposing ourselves to “blue light,” such as that emitted by our phones, computers, and tablets while attempting to unwind wakes us up. Himalayan salt lamps, on the other hand, emit a soft, warm glow similar to that of a candle or a campfire. It’s an ideal nightlight for your or your children’s rooms.
Furthermore, Himalayan salt lamps emit a trace amount of negative ions, which are odorless and tasteless molecules found in abundance in natural environments such as mountains and beaches. Some research suggests that these ions can boost serotonin and alleviate depression symptoms.
Make your own Himalayan salt exfoliator to get rid of dry winter skin.
Himalayan salt is an excellent natural exfoliator. For smoother, softer skin, combine the salt crystals with olive or coconut oil and apply with a warm washcloth or in a warm bath.
A Himalayan salt bath can help relieve muscle pain.
Salt and mineral baths are excellent for relieving achy or cramped muscles. Mineral baths allow our bodies to easily absorb magnesium and other trace minerals in salt, which can fortify bones and connective tissue that may be contributing to soreness.
Add a pinch of Himalayan salt to your water tomorrow morning as a challenge!
Why not add a pinch of Himalayan salt to your water tomorrow morning? Squeeze some lemon into it for extra nutrients, and transport it in a BPA-free, Stainless Steel water bottle.
