Pink Himalayan salt is mined in the foothills of the mighty Himalayan mountain range in India. It is produced as a by-product of natural seawater which has become depleted. This salt can be found in many parts of India like Ladakh, Arunachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, and Sikkim. In addition to being a source of natural salt, it has recently become a popular substitute for table salt in the United States, Europe, and Canada due to its high quality and numerous health benefits. Let us look at some of the health benefits of Himalayan pink salt:
The benefits of this Himalayan pink salt include anti-microbial and antioxidant activity. According to studies, this salt has the highest concentration of flavonoids and khoa salts (the most highly used mineral salt with health benefits) among any naturally occurring mineral in the world. Moreover, the salt has the largest salt mines in the world with an estimated reserve of more than five billion tons. The largest salt mines in the world are found in the foothills of the Himalayan mountain range in India.
One of the health claims associated with this salt includes the reduction of blood pressure, high cholesterol levels, stroke, and coronary artery disease. These claims have been medically confirmed using various scientific study methodologies. However, there is no conclusive evidence linking blood pressure reduction with the use of Pink Himalayan salt caves. Although this feature was found using laboratory tests, the conclusion is still inconclusive. However, the salt caves do not pose any significant threat to the health of humans who consume them for their non-dietary uses.
Another set of health claims is related to the properties of the salt. They claim that salt contains calcium, iron, phosphorus, zinc, and sodium all bound together in a crystal structure. The salt contains more magnesium than any other mineral in nature. The presence of magnesium ions in the crystal structure of the salt makes it more water-soluble. This feature makes it more easily absorbable by the skin. It also contributes to the improved absorption of calcium and magnesium ions from food.
The third set of health claims associated with Pink Himalayan salt baths are based on their sodium content. The salt contains approximately equal amounts of sodium and potassium. Some experts argue that the mineral content of the salt is much higher than that of sodium chloride, but they are unable to prove this. The average sodium content of Pink Himalayan bath salts is approximately two times higher than that of sodium chloride.
When it comes to taste, some experts claim that the salt has no taste. However, many salt users claim that the flavor can vary depending on the type of Pink Himalayan salt used. According to them, the flavor of the salt changes slightly when the temperature of the salt is increased. For instance, dark sea salt contains a flavor known as "black tongue" which may be unpleasant to some people. On the other hand, Pink Himalayan salt has a pleasant flavor that some users find extremely pleasant.
Since the minerals in the Pink Himalayan salt have a negative effect if too much of them are present, it is recommended that this type of salt be kept away from children and animals. Its trace elements may contain lead, antimony, and barium, which may cause serious health problems if consumed in high quantities. Because of this, the salt may contain some colors, which may vary from shades of pink to varying colors of red. Some manufacturers add other minerals to the Pink Himalayan salt to enhance its color, such as calcium, sulfur, and magnesium, which may make the salt more attractive to buyers.
While some health claims have been found out about the Pink Himalayan salt, many people are unaware of the many health benefits they have to offer. Some of the trace minerals found in this type of salt include uranium, strontium, and zinc, which may help prevent and fight against many types of cancer. As for the pink color, this is attributed to the presence of iodine and selenium. These two minerals help improve the immune system. Moreover, there are several other minerals that are contained in the Pink Himalayan salt, which may help alleviate symptoms of arthritis and various other ailments.