The first thing that may come in many minds when asked of one of the most significant ingredients in a kitchen is Salt. They not only enhance the taste, they are also jam-packed with many different nutrients and minerals. There are other ways through which salt can be obtained. Around 300 million tonnes of salt is produced every year globally. Only 6% of it is consumed by humans, the rest is used for de-icing of roads, softening water and agricultural uses. Salt can be produced by the extraction of rock salts and by the evaporation of seawater. Almost 98% of salt components are sodium chloride.

Khewra Salt mines:

The rock salt as the name suggests is produced from the extraction of rock salts. It is extracted in the Khewra mines which are located near the Jhelum River in Punjab, Pakistan. Khwera Mine is the world’s second largest salt mine in the world. With over 250,000 people visiting it every year, it has become a significant tourist attraction in the area. It was discovered in 320 B.C by the army of Alexander the Great but it did not start trading until the Mughals era. Khwera salt mine produces 320,00 tonnes of Pink salt in Pakistan every year.

Pink Himalayan salt:

Pink Himalayan salt has a distinctive pinkish tint to it due to the traces of minerals it contains. It is the purest form of salt because it is hand mined and composed of over 80 more minerals than regular sea salt, making it more beneficial and healthy. It can be used as food seasoning, lamps and for spa treatments. The vital elements of pink salt include calcium, potassium, iron, manganese, aluminum and many more features which has proven to be advantageous for the internal health of humans. 

Benefits of Pink Salt:

Pink salt is minimally refined and mostly hand mined, making it more beneficial to the health than other salts. Like other salts, it mainly comprises Sodium chloride, but because of its natural harvesting process, it contains more minerals and nutrients than other salts. Consuming a moderate amount of pink salt in your everyday meals can help maintain numerous bodily functions. Such as:

Regulation of blood pressure: Maintaining blood regulation in your body is crucial to keep it running properly. Due to traces of iron in pink salt, it increases the capacity of blood to carry oxygen around the body. This can decrease the chances of cardiovascular diseases.

Weight loss:  pink salt is rich in minerals, its content can help eliminate water from cells, reducing bloating and water retention. This can reduce weight and reduce the appearance of cellulite.

Cleaner skin: Pink salt contains detoxifying properties which can soften skin and remove toxins and unnecessary chemicals from skin. It can reduce puffiness, redness and bloating making your skin look healthier and glower.

Digestive properties: Pink salt contains digestive properties hence preventing gas accumulation. Consuming a moderate amount of salt helps regulate an acid-alkaline balance in the body which helps regulate metabolism.

Sleep pattern:  insomnia is not easy to relieve. But many people believe that lack of salt consumption can lead to irregular sleeping patterns. People also keep pink salt lamps near to their bed side which they believe helps them sleep soundly.

In what ways can you use the Pink Himalayan salt?

Salt brings subtle yet prominent flavor to our food. It has been a significant ingredient in kitchens for millions of years. Over the years, the uses of salt have exceeded its limitations of being used only in the kitchen. Salt is also utilized in bathing and skin care products. There are lamps made of salts that, as I have discussed earlier, relieve sleeping problems. 

People often use Pink salt as a food preservative due to its perseverance properties. The salt seeps the water out from food, taking away its moisture which dries down the food. This stops overall growth of all living organisms including bacteria. 

Pink salt lamps are known to not only help with disturbed sleeping patterns but also with reduced air pollution. Many also believe that it reduces asthma and allergy symptoms whilst reducing stress.

Himalayan salt VS table salt:

To understand which salt is better, it is essential to know a little about the background of Table salt and how it differs from himalayan salt. 

There is a big possibility you have already tasted the table salt, it is present in small containers in restaurants. Table salt is mainly extracted from underground mines and processed completely. Unlike pink himalayan salt, table salt is not pure. Almost all of its minerals are removed during its refining process and iodine is added; to reduce iodine deficiency in people and also helps people with thyroid diseases. It is basically our regular salts that we use day to day in our meals. 

So what's the difference between these two salts? 

 The most significant difference upfront is the lack of minerals in table salt compared to himalayan salt. The himalayan salt contains many health benefits due to the abundant source of minerals whereas regular salt’s minerals are removed when it gets refined. The Himalayan salt is hand mined, ensuring its 99% purity, but the table salt is refined in machines losing its purity. So in short the himalayan pink salt is far more advantageous to health than Table salt.

The Downside of Pink Salt:

Eating anything out of proportion is going to leave a negative effect on your body. Consuming an adequate amount of salt is suitable but do not over consume it, as it can increase blood pressure that can cause cardiovascular diseases and strokes. High salt diets can also result in stomach/gastric cancer. It is the world's 4th leading cause of death. High blood pressure, puffiness, bloating and swelling of feets indicate high salt intake. It is also worth mentioning that all the mentioned advantages are only believed by people but not scientifically proven. Himalayan salt is also quite costly compared to other salts because of its pureness and health advantages.

Conclusion:

Pink salt has numerous advantages that have been beneficial for health. Their requirements seem to see no end. Just consuming 2,300 milligrams is enough to consume on a daily basis. Ensure to maintain this amount as the lack of it can cause dehydration. So, if you are searching for a healthy alternative for a salt, then the pink salt is the right option for you as it not only brings taste to the table but also ample health benefits.