Himalayan Pink Salt vs. Sea Salt: Which Is Better?

Himalayan pink salt vs. sea salt–what’s the difference? 

Both sea salt and Himalayan pink salt contain sodium chloride and are good sources of essential minerals. However, many sea salts are mined from evaporated seawater deposits contaminated with microplastics. 

Let’s examine the differences between Himalayan pink salt and sea salt and why it is best to avoid regular table salt.

What’s the difference between Himalayan pink salt and sea salt?

Himalayan pink salt and sea salt are crystalline minerals composed of sodium, chloride, and essential minerals, including potassium, zinc, manganese, iodine, and copper. However, their origin, taste, and purity differ significantly. 

Himalayan pink salt is hand-mined in Pakistan’s Khewra salt mine, an ancient sea salt deposit formed around 200 million years ago. 

Himalayan salt undergoes minimal processing, which helps retain its dense mineral concentrations, including iron oxide, which is responsible for its unique pink color. 

Sea salt, on the other hand, is harvested from salt residues deposited by evaporated seawater. 

Sea salt deposits can be found in various locations worldwide, resulting in a wide range of different sea salt with distinct characteristics. Depending on where it has been harvested, sea salts can vary in terms of mineral composition, flavor, and texture.

Watch the video below to discover the difference between Himalayan pink salt and sea salt. 

Himalayan pink salt vs. sea salt – which is better?

Sea salt is formed through the evaporation of saltwater lakes or ocean waters. Unfortunately, persistent pollution of the oceans with microplastics resulted in the contamination of many salt deposits. 

Evidence published in Scientific Reports found that a large number of sea salts contain microplastics, tiny particles of plastic that come from the breakdown of larger plastic items, microbeads in personal care products, synthetic fibers from textiles, and industrial pollution.¹

Microplastics undergo slow degradation over extended periods. This, combined with the persistent plastic pollution globally, results in ongoing contamination of the world’s oceans.

Frequent ingestion of microplastic-containing salts has been linked to various adverse health effects. 

A study published in The Science of Total Environment found that microplastics have potentially harmful consequences, such as triggering oxidative stress and inflammation, altering cellular behavior, disrupting immune functions, and may be linked to neurotoxicity.²

In contrast, Himalayan pink salt is derived from salt deposits that formed long before oceans and seawaters were contaminated with pollutants, making it a microplastic-free source of sodium chloride and essential trace minerals.   

Four reasons to use Himalayan salt instead of table salt

While too much salt can lead to high blood pressure and kidney disease, low salt intake can increase your risk of heart attacks and electrolyte imbalances and may disrupt nerve and muscle functioning. 

“To get a good balance of sodium chloride and essential minerals, I recommend between one to two teaspoons of salt per day,” explains Dr. Berg. ” However, the quality of the salt is crucial, and it’s best to use uncontaminated and mineral-rich Himalayan pink salt instead of heavily processed table salt or sea salt.”

Here are four reasons you should use Himalayan salt instead of table salt!

1. Higher mineral content 

In contrast to regular table salt, Himalayan pink salt contains significantly higher concentrations of health-promoting trace minerals.

Himalayan salt contains seven essential nutrients:

• Iron
• Potassium
• Magnesium
• Calcium
• Zinc
• Copper 
• Manganese

These minerals have several health benefits, such as supporting cellular functions and enzymatic reactions, promoting hormonal balance, and aiding nutrient absorption. 

2. Minimally processed

Table salt typically undergoes extensive processing and refining to remove impurities, resulting in the loss of trace minerals.

In addition, most table salts contain anti-caking agents, including sodium aluminum silicate, to prevent clumping. 

While the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has declared sodium aluminum silicate safe, evidence published in Emergency Medicine International suggests that prolonged aluminum ingestion may have neurotoxic effects and has been linked to the development of Alzheimer’s disease.³

3. Free of environmental pollutants 

Many types of table salt are derived from sea salt and may be contaminated with microplastics.

In contrast to regular table salt, Himalayan sea salt doesn’t contain microplastics or other environmental pollutants such as heavy metals. 

4. Flavor and Taste

Himalayan salt has a milder and less salty flavor than table salt, making it an ideal choice for individuals trying to reduce their overall salt intake to normalize high blood pressure. 

How to use Himalayan salt on keto

You can use Himalayan salt like any other salt on keto. It’s an excellent seasoning that enhances the flavor of many keto-friendly meals, including meats, vegetables, salads, soups, and stews. 

Because of its high mineral content, Himalayan salt can also promote electrolyte balance. 

The ketogenic diet, especially during the early phases of keto-adaptation, can cause electrolyte imbalances. Adding one to two teaspoons of Himalayan salt to your water throughout the day replenishes electrolytes and can help overcome keto-flu symptoms. 

FAQ

Sources

1. https://www.nature.com/articles/srep46173 ?
2. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0048969719344468 ?
3. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8767391/ ?