benifits of Himalayan salt or lahori namak

Salt is something most of us use to season our food on a daily basis. Moderation has been suggested and many fret about the amounts they consume. However, salt is very important for our health and shouldn’t be completely omitted. We just need to get it right.

Unfortunately, regular table salt, most commonly found in kitchens and restaurants around the world, has little in common with natural salt. This salt is usually highly refined. It’s almost pure sodium chloride (97% or more), with added chemicals, such as absorbents and anti-caking agents. But there are other types of salt such as sea salt and pink Himalayan salt which has incredible health benefits.

Himalayan salt is often marketed as coming from a non-polluted area deep in the Himalayas. The salt is actually harvested at the foot of the Himalayas, in a rock salt mine in Pakistan, which is considered to be the second largest mine in the world.

Himalayan salt, known as ‘white gold’ in its region of origin, contains 84 natural elements and minerals that are vital to our health, including magnesium, potassium, calcium, chloride, phosphorus and iron. The salt’s signature pink color is a result of a tiny amount of iron oxide (rust). Zinc, selenium, iodine and copper are also present in trace quantities.

Generally speaking, Himalayan salt is considered a healthy salt because no chemicals or additives are added to it, and it’s a naturally occurring substance.

Usually, this salt is sold as coarse grains, but you can also find it finely grained or as large blocks, which can be used as a unique way to serve your culinary specialties. No matter the form, the prized mineral benefits are always there.

Some of the benefits of using Himalayan salt include:

1. It controls the levels of water within your body.
2. It regulates the pressure in your blood vessels – blood pressure.
3. It balances the body’s pH.
4. It helps with blood sugar regulation.
5. It aids absorption of nutrients in the intestinal tract and in this way supplies the body with sufficient energy.
6. It promotes vascular health, bone strength and respiratory function.
7. It prevents muscle cramps.
8. It nurtures the kidneys and gall bladder.
9. It regulates healthy sleeping patterns.
10. It wards off signs of aging.
11. It supports your libido.

The list sounds truly amazing and speaks of superiority of Himalayan salt. However, Dr. Helen Smith of Auckland Holistic Medical Center, writes that this salt, too, can contain some traces of aluminum, lead and some toxic metals, which is probably the risk of any rock or mineral salt.