Types of Salt

Salt is the most basic and omnipresent ingredient present in our food. Too much or too little of it can change the fate of your meal. However, it is not only the taste that salt contributes but it also includes multiple other health benefits that it provides.

Most of the salt that is consumed is derived by evaporating seawater naturally. Salt can also be extracted from rocks or underground regions. Salt is a natural mineral composed of two elements: sodium and chloride.  It is not only an essential food component but is also needed to maintain the body’s electrolyte balance.

Let us look at the different types of salt:

Sea Salt: as the name suggests, this salt is derived by evaporating seawater. This salt is rich in minerals derived from the sea, it contains magnesium, calcium, potassium, iron, zinc, and iodine. It has a comparatively higher concentration of sodium, therefore one must be wise when adding them to your dish. This salt can also be added to your bottle of water or before and after cooking a meal.

Iodised Salt: Also called table salt/ common salt it is the most widely used and easily available salt. It easily gets dissolved in foods and one of its main health-benefiting factors is the presence of iodine. This salt becomes the primary source of iodine for individuals suffering from iodine deficiency or at risk of developing the same which is considered extremely hazardous to health.

Kosher Salt: This salt has a distinguishing texture, it is flak and has longer grains. It does not have any additive like iodine and also gets easily dissolved in our food. Its taste is also quite similar to regular salt. Incorporating this salt in your meals helps cut back on sodium intake which is beneficial in preventing brood pressure and cardiovascular health problems.

Pink Salt: Himalayan Rock Salt is also called pink salt due to its pale pink color. It has high mineral content as well which is why it is one of the most preferred due to its health benefits. This salt has been known to promote circulation and also stabilize pH balance within the cells. It has helped reduce muscle cramps. This salt is also used for detoxifying baths.

Low Sodium Salt: The primary ingredient in this type of salt is potassium. The low sodium content of this type of salt contributes to its health-promoting benefits which include blood pressure monitoring and lowering heart disease risk.