Table salt is enriched with iodine to help boost your metabolism.
Table Salt
Updated Feb. 06th, 2026 | Read Time: 2 Minutes | What You Will Learn:
- What is Table Salt?
- Table Salt Additives
- How to Store Table Salt
- Salt Intake
- Nutritional Information
- Reader Comments (4)
What is Table Salt?
In Western cuisine, salt is used in the cooking and is also available in salt shakers on the table. This is where the term "table salt" originated. It is refined salt that has been concentrated to remove impurities, so that it contains 97-99% sodium chloride. In addition to this, this salt is often enriched with a variety of nutrients to help prevent certain high risk medical conditions found in the area of use.
Table Salt Additives
Most table salt sold throughout the world is enriched with a variety of additives to address nutritional deficiencies in the diet of the region. The most common additive is iodine, although some other regions use: fluoride, iron, and even folic acid. The majority of our soil is deficient in iodine, and thus our produce usually is as well. This results in a relative iodine deficiency in many regions of Canada that are not near enough to the ocean to benefit from fresh fish and seaweed. Iodine deficiency prevents proper functioning of the thyroid gland and can lead to a medical condition known as a goiter. Children born to women with insufficient thyroid function can develop a form of preventable mental special needs.
How to Store Table Salt
When salt is exposed to excess moisture, either directly or in the air, it can cause clumping. To reduce this problem, many people will add something to their salt shakers to help absorb excess moisture such as a few grains of uncooked rice.
Salt Intake
This salt can be found alone or in combination products for food seasoning. In general these products should be used in the same way as any other salt products. Be sure to limit your sodium intake to less than 2,300mg a day to avoid cardiovascular effects.
I always believed that salt was bad for you but it appears the golden rule, everything in moderation is key here. I made the switch from table salt to Himalayan salt a few years because at the time, Himalayan salt was all the rage and was believed to be more beneficial and healthier than regular table salt. However, upon reading a few articles about salt, including this one. It appears that good old table salt is king here. Once again, in moderation!
Hello, Rose With Thorns,
Indeed, everything in moderation. Salt has many benefits and Himalayan salt, like you mentioned, has a great mineral profile and is more beneficial for your health if you use a lot of salt. But what really offers great health benefits is salts partner in crime, pepper. Learn more about it here in this essential oil review: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sfarun6HE28
*please note, you can't ingest essential oils; however, the properties of black pepper (whether ground or in essential oils) that offer health benefits are the same*
Thank you so much for your notes on table salt. I agree that there are many good aspects of plain old salt: the biggest boost is iodine! Many people in developing regions and who pursue more "natural" diets lower in processed foods (including processed salt) can find themselves in a pickle without iodized salt. I've heard of regions in the world adding fluoride, iron, and even folic acid-it's cool how salt can act as a public health measure! That said, plain salt leeches calcium from bones and can contribute to high blood pressure so as you suggest, most people should limit sodium consumption below 2300mg/day
Hello Rachel,
Table salt definitely offers key benefits, iodine being one of them. Thank you for sharing your knowledge and favourite highlights from our table salt article. If you'd like to learn more about why iodine is beneficial for health, check out this article: https://www.nationalnutrition.ca/articles/supplements/iodine/
Have a healthy day.