Salt (Sea Salt)
Updated Oct. 04th, 2023 | Read Time: 4 Minutes | What You Will Learn:
- Health Benefits of Sea Salt
- Mineral Content of Sea Salt
- What Is Unrefined Salt?
- Celtic Sea Salt
- Himalayan Salt
- How Can I Get More Sea Salt?
Many people watch their sodium intake; however, did you know not all salt is created equal? Indeed, some salt varieties offer benefits like minerals which can support your health. These varieties include unrefined salt like Sea salt. This salt variety is obtained by the evaporation of seawater.
Historically, this was the main source of salt for regions that did not have mineral salt (halite) available to be mined. In more recent times, sea salt is often hailed as the superior form of salt for food preparation. It is used in cooking, and is particularly prized for its clean taste and coarse texture. It is also used to soothe muscle cramps and support other health concerns listed below.
Health Benefits of Sea Salt
The health consequences of ingesting too much sea salt are the same as those associated with table salt. Sea salt does contain iodine in its natural and more bioavailable form, but the dose may not be sufficient to offer the same benefits to the thyroid as table salt. This is because table salt is further enriched with iodine, whereas unrefined salt only contains its natural mineral levels. Interestingly, it is this lack of processing and additives that make this salt prized around the world as a natural salt. Sea salt can also offer your body more trace minerals, electrolytes and support a healthy nervous system, digestive function, and supports muscle cramps.
Mineral Content of Sea Salt
Because it is largely unprocessed, sea salt contains a natural mineral balance that differs from table salt. Table salt is over 97% sodium chloride, thus it contains at least 48% sodium. Sea salt is 55% chloride, and only 30% sodium. This is nearly 20% lower than table salt by weight. The space left by the lower amount of sodium is instead filled by other minerals such as: magnesium, calcium, potassium, and bromide. Many of these are other essential electrolytes in the human body.
What Are Electrolytes?
Electrolytes are minerals that play a role in the water balance in the human body. Sea salt can contain a number of different electrolytes. The main electrolytes of biological importance in the human body are: sodium, chloride, magnesium, potassium, calcium, phosphate, and carbonate.
What Is Unrefined Salt?
Raw vs. Refined Salt
Refined salt is mined from underground salt deposits; is high in sodium and doesn't offer additional health benefits because its trace mineral and electrolyte content is depleted during processing. Refined salt can be found as table salt or refined sea salt. Raw, unrefined salt, however, is either mined directly from the source or made from evaporated seawater. Unlike refined salt, it keeps its natural colour and trace mineral content because it isn't processed. Raw sea salt (Celtic salt) also has less sodium chloride than raw Himalayan salt and refined salt.
Unrefined Salt
Unrefined, or raw, salt can be made from evaporated seawater, which is how unrefined sea salt (Celtic salt) is made, or it can be mined directly from the source, which is how Himalayan salt is made.
Raw salt is rich in trace minerals and keeps its natural grey-like colour because it's not processed or washed. If you are looking to purchase unrefined salt, look for either Himalayan rock salt or Celtic sea salt.
Celtic Sea Salt
It is made from evaporated seawater and is rich in natural minerals. It's hand-harvested, and because it is unrefined, it keeps its natural mineral balance and electrolyte profile. Beyond being a seasoning for meals, Celtic salt also supports muscle cramps, increases hydration and promotes a healthy nervous system.
Himalayan Salt
Mined by hand using traditional methods. It is rich in iron, pure and unrefined. Unlike Celtic salt, which has a complex flavour, Himalayan salt has a straightforward flavour profile, making it easy to add to most food. Himalayan salt offers more trace minerals than Celtic salt; however, it contains 98% sodium chloride, whereas Celtic salt only contains 33% sodium and 50.9% chloride.
How Can I Get More Sea Salt?
Sea 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 negative cardiovascular effects. If you are looking for a way to increase your trace mineral intake without all the sodium, consider taking Concentrace, a trace mineral supplement that can easily be added to water. Concentrace is a natural source of electrolytes, is 99% sodium reduced and is sourced through solar evaporation from Utah's Great Salt Lake.
For most of my life, I had been strictly limiting salt according to published medical recommendations. I had always been really low on energy, and I didn't know why. Finally one day I happened to have a large amount of salt for some random reason, and I felt much better the next day. Now I have sea salt every day and I feel great. I can't recommend that everyone do this, but it certainly worked for me.
Hello Bruce,
We love to hear your success stories. Sea salt has many minerals, as does Himalayan sea salt if you haven't tried that yet.
Stay healthy & well!
I use the Himalayan Sea Salt. The iodine in this type of salt is an essential that your body needs.
Hello Sharon,
Himalayan sea salt is a great choice! It has many beneficial minerals and less sodium than other salts. Have a look at our healthy recipes that you can use it in:
https://www.nationalnutrition.ca/articles/healthy-recipes/
Stay healthy & well!
Sea salt is a new concept to me as I've only really heard about table salt and Himalayan pink salt. I had no idea that sea salt was far more superior than them both, seems like I've been missing out! It was interesting to learn about the electrolytes in salt and about how too much, even with sea salt can be dangerous to your health. Everything in moderation, right?! I'm not sure where to find sea salt but I will definitely be on the look out next time I go to the grocery or health foods store.
Hello, Rose With Thorns,
We are glad you enjoyed our article on sea salt. It possesses many great minerals and electrolytes, but of course like any salt, it's best in moderation. Herbemare is a nice sodium free alternative as well, check them our along with sea salts here: https://www.nationalnutrition.ca/food-supplements/salts.html
Have a healthy day!
This is the ONLY salt that I ever use now. Regular salt is a no no.
Your body does need salt, but it must be sea salt
Hello, Sharon,
Thank you for sharing. Sea salt and Himalayan salt are many peoples go to’s as they provide more minerals. Here you can learn about salt in general and trace minerals:
https://www.nationalnutrition.ca/articles/supplements/salt/
Have a healthy day!
It is amazing that Bruce also commented with a similar experience to mine-small world! For most of my life, I had also been strictly limiting salt according to published medical recommendations and advice of my parents (my Father struggles with high blood pressure). I had also suffered chronic low energy, without knowing why. Later, I learned from my doctor that I was severely hyponaatremic and I now supplement with sea salt (himalayan is my go to) every day and I feel great. I think while salt isn't great for some people, for most, it is all about balance-and as you explain, mineral salt is a better option than table salt!
Hello Rachel,
Thank you for leaving your comment and sharing your experience with salt. Indeed, many people assume salt is bad for your health; however, most people lump all salt together, when in fact there are healthier types that actually offer minerals and health benefits. I see you enjoy Himalayan salt, you can read more about it and Celtic salt in our new articles here, https://www.nationalnutrition.ca/articles/research/unravelling-the-benefits-of-celtic-salt/
Have a healthy day.