Himalayan salt: 12 properties and benefits

Mineral salts are very important elements for the human body. They participate in a multitude of vital functions, such as nerve transmission, the formation and maintenance of bone tissue or cell metabolism.

Salt also has many culinary properties, although there are different types of it. This article talks about Himalayan salt, which has many properties and benefits thanks to the large amount of minerals it contains.

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12 properties and benefits of Himalayan salt

Common salt and Himalayan salt have notable differences in their composition. This has a number of advantages when consuming Himalayan salt, which contains many more properties and health benefits than common salt.

The proportion of mineral salts in Himalayan salt is very similar to that required by the human body. The reason is that this salt comes from an ancient sea, whereas common kitchen salt is synthesized in modern laboratories. It has a salty taste, but is rich in minerals.

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1. It is very rich in minerals

The amount of minerals in Himalayan salt is surprising. This pink salt contains a large proportion of sodium chloride, like common or kitchen salt, but it also contains other minerals that the body needs. Calcium, magnesium and potassium stand out. This variety is what gives it its characteristic color.

2. It is good for the body

It is better to eat Himalayan salt instead of common salt. While both are high in sodium chloride, Himalayan salt also contains other minerals that the body can benefit from. To always consume common salt is to impoverish the diet more than if you consume Himalayan salt.

3. Contains no toxins

Himalayan salt is free of pollutants. This is because it comes from geological formations dating back millions of years. An ancient sea of ​​dried up in northeast Pakistan gave rise to this layer of salt, which has not been contaminated by toxins. This differs from salt that comes from the sea or that which is produced artificially.

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4. Alkalizes the blood

The acidity of the blood is very important for the general health of the body. Himalayan salt helps the pH of the blood to be a little more basic, helping to fight inflammation that occurs due to a sedentary lifestyle, smoking or a poor diet. Even so, you should not resort to Himalayan salt as a preventive measure, but what you have to do is above all eat vegetables and fruit.

5. Does not worsen fluid retention

For fluid retention it is better to take Himalayan salt than common salt. Salt in general is known to be directly related to problems associated with retention of fluids, but the different electrolytes that Himalayan salt contains makes it not as bad. Still, you have to extreme the amounts.

6. Does not alter cardiovascular health as much

Himalayan salt is less harmful to cardiovascular health. Like what happens with fluid retention, salt in general is not good for cardiovascular health. You have to carefully measure the amounts you take of salt so that you do not develop problems such as hypertension. Still you can take a little of this salt preferably to common salt.

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7. Combat joint pain

Himalayan salt is effective in fighting joint pain. Hot baths with Himalayan salt (among others such as Epsom salts) have been shown to improve the pain of some pathological conditions. Among them are rheumatism or arthritis, all diseases linked to inflammation in the connective tissues.

8. Improves skin health

A bath with Himalayan salt is also good for the skin. People who have conditions due to diseases such as psoriasis can see their condition improved, and this salt helps revitalize the largest organ in the body. It is also effective against acne, as the heat of the water opens the pores of the skin.

9. It helps to sleep

Another of the properties of Himalayan salt is that it benefits quality sleep. This salt has hypnotic properties, allowing you to fall asleep more easily. It should be borne in mind that when you sleep is the time when the body can regenerate many of its tissues and fight with waste substances that have been generated during the day.

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10. Remineralize bones

Himalayan salt contains more minerals than common salt. With this simple reason it is easy to conclude that pink salt is much more recommended than sodium chloride or kitchen salt. Himalayan salt contains calcium, but also other minerals such as magnesium are necessary for the formation and maintenance of bones.

11. Supports digestion and hydration

Foods and drinks that contain a little salt are easier to absorb. The mineral salts they contain are diluted in food or drink, and act as electrolytes. These make digestion and absorption better. A pinch of salt in an isotonic drink can improve the hydration of athletes. Of course, you do not have to put too much quantity.

12. Avoid muscle cramps

Electrolytes also prevent muscle cramps. Muscle cramps can be suffered, among other reasons, due to a lack of electrolytes in the blood. The mineral salts present in Himalayan salt can exert this function, resulting in an interesting property to benefit people who suffer from this problem.

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Bibliographic references

• Fereidoon, S., Shi, J. and Ho, C.T. (2005). Asian functional foods. Boca Raton (FL): CRC Press.

• Livingston, J. V. (2005). Agriculture and soil pollution: new research. Nova Publishers.

• Weihofen, J. (2002). The crystalline salt of the Himalayas. Barcelona: Obelisk.