Himalayan Salt vs Sea Salt
Salt is a substance that is vital and essential for human beings. This is because of the importance of its ingredients chloride and sodium for various body functions. However, many of us suffer from high blood pressure and other diseases as a result of consumption of common table salt that contains 97.5% sodium chloride and the remaining ingredients are moisture absorbents and iodine to keep the salt free flowing and non-sticky. However, there are healthier alternatives such as sea salt and the Himalayan salt for our use. Many people remain confused between these two salts. This article attempts to highlight the differences between sea salt and Himalayan salt for the benefit of the readers.
Sea Salt
Sea salt is the salt obtained through evaporation of water in the seas. There is no difference between this salt and the common table salt consumed by us and both have same nutritional value too. However, there is a lot of difference in their taste and texture, mostly because of the way table salt is processed at high temperatures of 1200 degrees. The salt grains get super dried and become free flowing, but the process robs them of invaluable trace elements that are beneficial for our health. On the other hand, sea salt has all these trace elements and minerals adding to its flavor. Its texture is also coarser than that of table salt because of these minerals.
Sea salt is not refined and may not look as good as heavily refined table salt, but it contains magnesium and many other trace minerals good for our health. However, sea salt contains iodine in negligible amount, and one has to take food items containing iodine to make up for this shortcoming.
Himalayan Salt
This is the trade name of a salt that is sourced from salt caves that got formed millions of years ago when oceanic salt got deposited at several places across earth. This salt is actually Halite that is also known as rock salt in Pakistan. Himalayan salt is a recent phenomenon for the westerners as it is being marketed across Europe and Americas since the beginning of the 21st century. This salt has a pinkish color and is believed to have many health benefits as it controls blood pressure and improves vascular health.
Scientists say that Himalayan salt is the purest form of salt as it has remained buried under mountains for millions of years and contains lots of trace minerals that are beneficial for our health.
Himalayan Salt vs Sea Salt
• Sea salt is the salt obtained by evaporation of seawater whereas Himalayan salt is the trade name of a salt being mined from salt caves near Himalayas in Pakistan.
• Sea salt retains many trace elements because of its water source, but Himalayan salt is believed to be very pure as it is sea salt that has remained buried under mountains for thousands of years.
• Sea salt is lacking in iodine, but Himalayan salt contains not just iodine but a whopping 80 other minerals.
• Himalayan salt is much older than sea salt.
• Himalayan salt has many more minerals than sea salt.