6 Benefits of Sea Salt, Nutrition, History, Prevention and More!

Do you know the benefits of Sea salt? Salt is one of the flavoring ingredients that have been used in the world for years, moreover, it has become such a vital and necessary product in our dishes, that we could say that our languages are more than prepared to taste this flavor every Once we eat something. However, in recent years, sea salt has been attacked and has been characterized as an unhealthy substance that we must eliminate from our diets in favor of heart health. That said, not all salt is created equal and there is definitely a difference between unrefined and mineral-rich varieties, such as this salt, compared to salt that has been processed and stripped of all its natural nutrients.

So, sea salt is good for you? Does this salt really contain iodine? And what types are better when it comes to your health? Keep reading everything you need to know about this common cooking ingredient.

What is the Definition of Sea Salt?

All the salt varieties that we know so far – including the table salt we use every day – are derived or originated in the ocean or in what we know as a salt water body, but not all salts that exist in the market come precisely of the seas – What does this mean? – means that in reality the salts that do not enter the line of sea salt are actually derived from underground deposits that are formed by salt water. Sea salt has its origin once the evaporation of seawater takes place. Evaporation is achieved either by solar evaporation in the open air or by a faster evaporation process under vacuum. There are even certain types of this salt that usually have a fairly excessive cost in the market, due to the slow evaporation processes with which they are conceived. When you taste some food seasoned with little processed sea salt, you are having access to a salt rich in minerals that will promote your good health. In addition, you can experience a wide variety of flavors that will give your food a special touch when cooking, in the same way, it is ideal for creating natural and homemade beauty products. Salt from sea can be unrefined or refined, although unrefined sea salt is generally recommended to maximize its potential health benefits. Refined salt, on the other hand, is washed to strip it of its minerals and often contains harmful additives for foods that activate the leaking intestine.

The Best Benefits of Sea Salt:

Rich in trace minerals
Prevents dehydration and balances fluids.
Charged with electrolytes
Promotes brain, muscle and nervous system function.
It helps to have a better digestive health
Promotes the absorption of nutrients

1. Rich in Trace Minerals:

High quality sea salts generally contain more than 60 trace elements and for specific types such as Himalayan sea salt, that number is said to be closer to 84. Whatever the way you consume it, sea salts always they will represent an excellent source of micronutrients for your health. It is no secret to anyone that getting miners at meals is increasingly complicated, this is mainly due to the lack of nutrients in the soil; However, the seas, to our fortunes, continue to be abundant sources of minerals, which is why we can obtain from them a variety of sea salts excellent for our consumption.

2. Prevents Dehydration and Balances Liquids:

This is how sodium works inside the body: water follows salt, which means that if you increase your sodium intake too much, water retention also occurs. On the other hand, another of the things that are also true, is that the progressive loss of sodium leads to a considerable loss of water, generating in addition to extreme thirst a considerable dehydration. By consuming this salt in moderation every day, you also ensure that you maintain sufficient levels of sodium, which helps balance your sodium-potassium proportions. Both potassium and sodium are a pair of electrolytes that can be fused to ensure the balance of fluids that is needed in body cells, as well as in blood plasma and extracellular fluid.

3. It is Filled with Electrolytes:

One of the best ways to maintain a good part of the natural mineral content of our bodies is through the minimum processing of sea salt; because this salt contains a considerable variety of electrolytes – such as magnesium, sodium, potassium and calcium – which, as you know, are necessary for good health. The functions of electrolytes are innumerable, they can regulate the heart rhythm, allow muscle contraction to achieve movement, among other things. That is why, the help provided by this salt at the time of regulating and avoiding electrolyte imbalances is essential, especially because if this is not done, a variety of symptoms can be caused from negative to severe, and that in Sometimes, they are mostly fatal.

4. Promotes Better Brain, Muscle and General Nervous System Function:

Sea salt is by far an excellent source of sodium, perhaps that is why it is considered as ideal for better brain, muscle and general nervous system functioning. Sodium not only plays a role in regulating your body’s fluid balance, but it is also necessary for the transmission of electrical signals in the body. Why is this so important? For the simple fact that when there is no adequate transmission of the so-called electrical signals inside the body, there are many things that can be discarded. When this interesting communicative system does not work the way it should, both the brain, the muscles and the nervous system will be forced to suffer. Sodium as the lack of it causes a malfunction of the cells, so, while it is true that the body of salt should not be supersaturated, it is also true that enough should be ingested.

5. Support Digestion Positively:

Digestive health is also affected when not enough salt is consumed in your diet. In fact, lack of salt in the diet can lead to a reduction in hydrochloric acid (HCL) in your stomach. If you have little stomach acid, it can seriously damage your digestive system, contributing to problems such as heartburn, stomach pain, vomiting and constipation. Ingesting the right amount of sea salt is helpful when helping your body produce a greater amount of HCL; since this food supplies chloride, one of the basic components of stomach acids.

6. Originates a Better Absorption of Nutrients:

When you have enough acid in the stomach, our body is able to absorb more minerals and vitamins such as zinc, calcium, folate, iron and of course vitamin B12. For this reason, consuming a high quality sea salt on a recurring basis will allow your body to absorb a greater amount of nutrients, especially from the foods you eat in your daily diet. This is great news, since it is not only what you eat, but the way your body processes what you eat gives your body the essential nutrients it needs on a daily basis.

Types of Sea Salt:

There are many different types of sea salt available, each of which varies by origin and the health benefits it provides. These are some of the most common types of this salt on the market today:

Himalayan Sea Salt:

Many believe that Himalayan sea salt is the purest salt available on the planet. With a history that goes back to the creation of the Earth, it is believed to be composed of dry remains of the original and primitive sea. Known as “rose gold” or “pink sea salt,” the Himalayan crystal salt is actually a beautiful translucent pink color and contains all the elements found in your body. Due to the incredible nutrient load, doctors in functional medicine report that eating pink Himalayan salt regularly can help to:

Regulate the water content throughout the body.

Promote a healthy pH balance in your cells (particularly your brain cells)

It promotes the health of blood sugar and helps reduce the signs of aging.

Help in the generation of hydroelectric energy in the cells of your body.

Absorbs food particles through your intestinal tract

Support respiratory health

Promote breast health

Prevent muscle cramps

Promote bone strength

Regulate your dream

Support your libido

Promote vascular health

Regulate your blood pressure with sufficient intake of water and potassium

Celtic Sea Salt:

Another ancient merchandise, Celtic Sea Salt ® is comparable to Himalayan crystalline salt in its composition and health benefits. Being of a grayish tone, it is harvested naturally in Brittany, France, near the Celtic Sea, using a 2,000-year-old Celtic method that is crucial to preserving its life-giving nutrition profile. We have been informed that Celtic Mar Sal ® is incredibly beneficial for your health and can help:

Alkalinize the body

Balancing blood sugars

Eliminate mucus accumulation.

Build immunity

Improve brain function

Increase energy

Provide electrolyte balance

Promote restful sleep

Prevent muscle cramps

Regulate the heartbeat and blood pressure.

Interestingly, this salt retains its moisture and is moist to the touch, regardless of how you store it. Think of this as a gentle reminder of its oceanic origin and its properties of continuous life.

Other Sea Salt Options Include:

Fleur de Sel or Flor de Sal: French or Portuguese for “salt flower”, this sea salt is named after the patterns of crystals that resemble flowers. This is a salt that forms like a thin and fragile crust on the surface of seawater when it evaporates. Traditionally, it was used as an ointment and laxative, but today it is more commonly used for cooking as a finishing salt.

Flaked sea salt (or flaky sea salt): This variety of sea salt can be formed naturally or produced by a variety of methods. Often sold under the brand of Maldon salt flakes, flaky salts have thin, flattened crystals that provide more surface area with less mass, resulting in a quick and crunchy dissolving salt. Flake salt is said to have a more salty taste, but it may also contain a smaller amount of trace minerals than other sea salts.

Hawaiian Sea Salt: Hawaiian salt or Alaea is a traditional Hawaiian salt. Alae is a natural red volcanic clay that is added to enrich the salt with iron oxide, and also gives this salt its distinctive color of red salt, but it can also be found in white sea salt varieties or black Royal Hawaiian salt is expensive and hard to find outside of Hawaii.

Italian Sea Salt: this salt is derived from the Mediterranean Sea along the coast of Sicily.

You can also find other specialized varieties of sea salt, such as coarse salt, smoked salt and iodized salt.

Sea Salt vs. Table Salt:

Table salt and sea salt are two of the most common types of salt found on grocery store shelves and in spice pantries. So, -What are the real differences between this salt and table salt? Table salt is mainly extracted from underground salt deposits. It is largely processed to remove healthy minerals and is manufactured by taking natural salt (such as leftover crude oil flakes) and heating them to 1,200 degrees Fahrenheit. During this extreme process, the chemical composition is completely altered, destroying many of its potential health promoting properties. Although the chemical formula of salt for table salt and sea salt is mainly sodium chloride, the salt from sea composition also contains more minerals such as calcium, magnesium and potassium. Generic table salt, on the other hand, ends up being about 97.5 percent sodium chloride and a 2.5 percent balance that contains a variety of ingredients, including:

Anti-caking chemicals

Iodine to prevent

MSG and / or white processed sugar to help stabilize iodine

Derivatives of aluminum, such as sodium silicoaluminate.

Most food manufacturers add iodine to table salt, which increases the risk of consuming excessive amounts.

“While most people usually tolerate increased iodine intake, it can cause thyroid dysfunction in certain people who may be more sensitive to its effects”.

For these people, keeping iodized salt intake in moderation is absolutely essential, and opting for a minimally processed non-iodized sea salt instead of iodized salt may be a good option.

Uses of Sea Salt in Ayurveda, Traditional Chinese Medicine and Traditional Medicine:

Sea salt has been a star ingredient in many forms of traditional medicine for centuries. In fact, ancient Ayurvedic texts even mention sea salt and consider it essential for body function and growth. According to Ayurveda, salt should be unrefined and consumed in moderation to obtain the greatest health benefits. It is believed that sea salt acts as an antidiuretic and helps soothe the throat, cleanse the sinuses, maintain electrolyte balance and help in detoxification. Meanwhile, in traditional Chinese medicine, sea salt is used to cool the body and regulate water and moisture levels. It is also said to improve the health of the kidneys, eliminate toxins and promote proper digestion in the body.

Where to Find and How to Use Sea Salt

¿ Wondering where to buy sea salt? Given its increase in recent popularity, you can find a wide variety of sea salt brands in most major grocery stores in the spice and seasoning aisle. Pay close attention to the ingredient label and select a product with a minimum of added ingredients to make sure you are getting the best possible quality. Once you have some high quality sea salt, there are unlimited ways to start adding it to your routine. One of the easiest ways is to simply exchange it for table salt in your favorite recipes, using it to season the main dishes and the side dishes. You can also add it to desserts to give it a tasty flavor when experimenting with recipes such as sea salt ice cream or sea salt caramel. In addition to using it for cooking and baking, you can also try to make some DIY products with sea salt. Try exfoliating with dead sea salt to get rid of dry skin by mixing coarse sea salt, coconut oil and the essential oils of your choice. You can also do a sea salt spray for DIY to get waves with beaches throughout the year using only a few simple ingredients. To get the best sea salt spray, simply combine sea salt with water and some aloe vera gel in a spray bottle. Sea salt is also sometimes used for a flush of sea salt or clean sea salt to help cleanse the colon. Usually, this involves mixing lemon juice, sea salt and water and drinking it quickly to help produce a bowel movement.

History / Facts:

Salt has always been essential for human life, since humans need sodium to survive. Sea salt production dates back to prehistoric times. Since all salt comes from dead, dry or live seas, the history of salt is equivalent to the history of sea salt. In the sub-Saharan in the sixth century, Moorish merchants regularly exchanged precious salt in equal amounts (by weight) for gold. Later, in 1295, the explorer Marco Polo returned from his travels telling stories of the impressive value of the salt coins that bear the Great Khan seal of the Mongol empire. There were salt trade routes worldwide with the most popular from Morocco south through the Sahara to Timbuktu. It is said that the history of human civilization is directly related to salt. How is that? Animals would create roads to the salt flats, men would follow them, and turning roads into roads and settlements would grow alongside these roads. As civilizations grew throughout the world, salt remained one of the main items used for trade. Solnitsata was the first known city in Europe and was built around a salt production facility. According to archaeologists, Solnitsata accumulated wealth by supplying salt throughout the Balkan peninsula.

Precautions When Consuming Sea Salt:

Although sea salt brings a great variety of benefits to human health, you should not exaggerate when consuming it. As is well known, a diet that is based mainly on salt or that is based on salt will be a diet high in sodium, something that will eventually cause your kidneys to excrete more water than normal, giving way to an imbalance of essential electrolytes. When a person has too much sodium in their diet, it tends to manifest a series of symptoms ranging from inflammations, to irritability, weakness, dehydration, lethargy and muscle contractions. Hypernatremia occurs when there is an imbalance of sodium and water in your body. This condition is more common among babies who have a low intake of breast milk or an intake of formula that was not mixed correctly, older adults, people with diabetes or kidney problems, patients with severe burns, people who take diuretics and who consume diets Very processed. Symptoms may include severe thirst, headache, confusion, irritability, restlessness and drowsiness. If you think you may be experiencing hypernatremia, seek medical attention immediately.

Also, if you are eliminating table salt from your diet completely, it is important to make sure that you are getting iodine from other food sources in your diet. In addition to iodized salt, you can also find iodine naturally in foods such as algae, dairy products, shellfish and eggs. If you do not regularly consume any of these foods, opting for iodized sea salt may be a good option to make sure you meet your daily needs for this key mineral.