The dangers that lurk if you consume too much Himalayan salt

Himalayan salt or Himalayan salt which is pink in color has recently been popular among the people. In fact, the salt content of the Himalayas is almost the same as table salt. Himalayan salt has many benefits, but also contains dangers. Just like regular table salt, if consumed in excess. Check out the following reviews.

What is the difference between Himalayan salt and table salt?

Himalayan salt is the rock salt deposits of the Himalayan mountains harvested from the world's largest salt mine called the Khewra Salt Mine in Pakistan. Salt was first discovered in 320 BC when a horse licked the salt. In time, the salt was used by the Mughal government and became popular in the world.

The Himalayan salt's pink color comes from its small amount of iron oxide. Quoted from the Harvard School of Public Health website, Himalayan salt is similar to sea salt which is poorly processed and refined. That is why the Himalayan salt crystals appear larger. In addition, this pink salt also contains small amounts of minerals, including iron, calcium, potassium, and magnesium.

In more detail, an article published on the McGill University website, states that the Himalayan salt content consists of 87% sodium chloride and 13% other minerals.

Meanwhile, table salt is usually mined from underground salt deposits. This salt is mostly processed to remove minerals and usually contains additives to prevent clumping. Most salt has added iodine, an important nutrient that helps maintain thyroid health.

Salt is also known as sodium chloride (NaCl). The food flavorings used as this binder consist of 40% sodium and 60% chloride. Salt also functions as a food preservative, because bacteria cannot thrive in a high salt content.

What are the dangers of consuming too much Himalayan salt?

The Queensland Health website says salt of any kind, including the Himalayas, is still a hazard. If you increase your intake of Himalayan salt to scavenge the benefits of the minerals in it, you are putting yourself in danger.

Here are the dangers that could be lurking along with you if you consume too much Himalayan salt:

1. Risk of disease

Too much salt consumption, including Himalayan salt, will cause the danger of increasing the amount of sodium in cells and disturbing the balance of fluids. Increased blood volume means making the heart work harder.

Over time, extra work and pressure can stiffen blood vessels, which can lead to diseases such as:

High blood pressure
Heart attack
Stroke

Harvard School of Public Health says there is ample evidence reporting that consuming too much salt, including Himalayan salt, is a danger to heart health, blood vessels, and kidneys. Salt may also be bad for bone health.

2. Contains radioactivity which is bad for the body

Himalayan salt does contain a lot of minerals, but only a very small amount. Although they contain minerals that are beneficial to the body, the minerals in Himalayan salt can also be dangerous.

Some of the minerals in Himalayan salt, including poisonous and radioactive, are actually useless and potentially harmful. Bad nutrients, such as mercury, arsenic, lead, and thallium are contained in Himalayan salts. Radioactive elements, such as radium, uranium, polonium, and plutonium also exist.

As is well known, radiation can cause cancer, even if you eat it in small amounts. However, in the case of Himalayan salt, further research is needed on the dangers of the minerals and radioactivity in it.

3. More expensive than table salt

The further dangers of Himalayan salt probably won't directly affect your health. However, you may incur additional costs for salt that is not really that different from regular table salt.

What are the guidelines for consuming salt for health?

Following are the recommendations of the World Health Organization regarding salt consumption:

For adults:Consume less than 5 grams (one teaspoon) of salt per day
For children: Salt consumption for children is adjusted to the maximum salt intake of adults for children aged 2-15 years, based on their energy needs.
All salt consumed, whether Himalayan salt or otherwise, must be iodized or "fortified" with iodine, which is essential for healthy brain development in fetuses and young children, as well as maximizing mental functioning in general.

The sodium content found in Himalayan salt or table salt can be bad for your health, one of which is an increase in blood pressure.

Some tips for reducing salt consumption, including Himalayan salt, that you can do, include:

Avoid processed foods. Anything that's instant and labeled "quick and easy" can contain sodium.
Eat more fruits and vegetables. When buying frozen fruit or vegetables, choose those without added salt or added sauce.
If you eat at a restaurant, ask for a separate salt. You should not add salt to seasoned foods.
Always read labels. Pay attention to the packaging of processed foods, such as burger meat or hot dogs, because they are packed with sodium.
Buy salt-free snacks. We recommend that you consume snacks that do not contain salt.
Add spices to food, rather than salt. This is to avoid the bad impact that has on the salt content, either Himalayan salt or other salts. The herbs will not raise blood pressure and have many anti-inflammatory benefits.
Look for other salt substitutes to add flavor to your cooking. Certain salt substitutes contain more potassium than sodium.
Certain salt substitutes may not be good for people with kidney disease. Therefore, always discuss with your doctor about the right salt substitute for you.