You might say that salt is something so basic. Then what are these types of salts that we often find in the market? A lot of us find it difficult to understand that there are different types of salts. So, in this post, we discuss refined salt and unrefined salt.

 

Salt in its natural form is called unrefined salt. It is not treated or altered. Thus, it contains all the minerals and elements that are useful for our body.

 

Celtic sea salt and unrefined sea salt has over 80 minerals and elements. In fact, it has all the natural elements necessary for life. In contrast to this, refined salt has only two major items – sodium and chloride.

 

 

Refined Salt:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Refined salt is harvested mechanically from different salt mines as brine, which is a highly concentrated solution of water and salt. Before the mechanical evaporation brine is treated with chemicals to remove minerals, which are surprisingly called impurities in the salt. These chemicals that help to refine the salt can include chlorine. Then water is evaporated under high compression and heat to change the molecular structure of the salt. At the last stage moisture in the salt is removed in a fluidized-bed dryer.

 

 

Salt is refined for the following reasons:

 

 

• Companies selling salt believe that all white salt looks cleaner and attractive to the consumer thus it increases the sale. Refined salt is often bleached to look whiter.

• When salt is from a polluted area, the refining process removes all toxins.

• Refined salt is a lifeless product as all the minerals are removed from it. Thus, it assures longer shelf life – can sit on the shelf forever and doesn’t get spoilt. Thus, it is beneficial for food manufacturers.

• Iodine is added to refined salt to avoid goiter. But, often there is insufficient iodine in the salt that can prevent thyroid illness.

 

 

Unrefined Salt:

 

 

 

 

 

Unrefined Rock salt contains more sodium and chlorine as compared to refined salt. It has refined salt that has all minerals and elements that are necessary to live healthily.

 

Celtic Sea Salt has 33% sodium, 50.9% chloride and 1.8% moisture.

 

Unrefined salt hasn’t been put through machines to get rid of minerals and other elements that are naturally present in salt. Unrefined salt hasn’t been exposed to harsh chemicals. It has all the minerals and elements that are present in salt in the original form.

 

 

Why use unrefined salt?

 

 

 Unrefined salt has many healthy minerals as compared to refined salt that contains only sodium and chloride with toxic additives. Unrefined salt is a whole food product that is easily absorbed by the body.

 

Additional minerals like magnesium and potassium are useful or rather essential to the immune system. Refined salt is a highly processed form and is an unnatural substance to the body.

 

In ancient times salt was used in the unrefined form and our bodies were used to the minerals present in it. Enzymes and hormones in our body were used to consume salt that is natural, whole and not refined.

 

When we use this processed form of salt our immune system starts to perform poorly leading to chronic illnesses and acidity.

 

Refined foods lack minerals, enzymes, and vitamins. When we eat these devitalized foods, our body has to put to use its own stored vitamins, minerals and enzymes to break down food. Over a period of time, this leads to nutrient deficiencies and chronic illness.

 

When you consume devitalized foods, it leads to acidity in the body. If you consume a lot of refined food you run on the acidic side.

 

 

Benefits Of Rock Salts:

 

 

A lot of people use rock salt, popularly known as sendha namak, only when they are fasting. However, rock salt has a host of other health benefits as well

 

 

1. Improves Digestion:

 

 

 

 

Rock salt improves digestion and is a natural way to relieve stomach pain. You can add a few crystals of rock salt and fresh mint leaves to a glass of lassi and reaps the benefits.

 

 

2. Stabilizes Blood Pressure:

 

 

 

 

Rock salt helps stabilize blood pressure by maintaining a balance of high and low blood pressures. For people with hypertension, It is a better alternative to table salt as it is high on potassium.

 

 

3. Boosts Metabolism:

 

 

 

 

Metabolism refers to certain chemical reactions in our body that help in maintaining the health of cells and organisms. Rock salt can be used to stimulate your body’s metabolism, and ultimately improve the functioning of your body.

 

 

4. Boosts Immunity:

 

 

Sendha namak could prove to do wonders for your immunity too. Rock salt provides all the essential trace minerals and greatly improves the body’s immune system,  It fights harmful bacteria and helps kick illnesses to the curb.

 

 

 

Been having sleepless nights? Rock salt helps to relax the body and mind, To treat and manage stress and anxiety, mix a tablespoon of rock salt in water and take a relaxing bath.

 

 

6. Treats Sinus: 

 

 

 

 

Rock salt is beneficial for people suffering from respiratory problems and sinus, Gargling with rock salt provides relief against sore throat, dry cough, and tonsils, or dissolve rock salt in water and inhale the steam.

 

 

7. Promotes Weight Loss: 

 

 

 

 

Looking to lose weight. Ditch table salt and switch to rock salt. Rock salt reduces sugar cravings by reactivating insulin and hence results in weight loss. You can sprinkle some rock salt over your fruits instead of table salt. 

 

 

8. Purifies Air: 

 

 

Rock salt crystal products tend to reduce airborne irritants, pathogens, and allergens by pulling water vapor out of the air. Himalayan pink salt is a natural ionic air purifier that pulls toxins from the environment and neutralizes them.

 

 

9. Promotes Healthy Skin: 

 

 

Rock salt is great for cleansing the skin and getting rid of clogged pores,  When used externally, it draws toxins out of the body. Mix a tablespoon of rock salt with your usual cleanser and use it as a face wash. Really, it’s that simple!

 

 

10. Promotes Healthy Hair: 

 

 

 

Rock salt removes the dirt from your hair without stripping it off its natural healthy oils. Just mix it in your usual shampoo and wash your hair with it. Rinse with cold water to remove the residue.

 

 

Visit the Navmi website www.navmi.co.in as the focus of Navmi has always been to reach out to customers with natural and organic foods of the best quality. All its products like coconut oil, flaxseed oil, ghee, A2 milk, different types of natural honey, jaggery, turmeric, etc are all chemical-free. We believe that unprocessed foods contain higher amounts of antioxidants, it reduces the risk of heart disease, cancers, and other health issues.

 

 

Visit our site (Nirlesh Foods Private Limited or Navmi) www.navmi.co.in to know more about nutritionally pure and unprocessed food. Make a conscious and healthy choice of foods.

 

 

Read  More Article:

 

 

Why should we add Desi Cow Ghee to our diet?

 

 

Replace sugar with jaggery in tea for best health benefits

 

 

 

Nirlesh Foods Pvt Ltd.