Types of table salt - which one to choose?

Table salt is a tricky topic. This spice adds flavor to dishes and also provides many valuable minerals , such as magnesium, calcium, zinc, and manganese. However, nutritionists have been sounding the alarm for years: we consume far too much salt. As if that weren't enough, new, theoretically healthier, types of seasoning have appeared on the market. So which salt should you choose? Which salt is the healthiest? For the answer, read this article.

Salt and health

Rock salt is used in the food industry . It's inexpensive and has preservative properties – for this reason, manufacturers add it in large quantities not only to prepared meals but also to products such as meats, cheeses, and sometimes sweets and bread. This is why salt consumption is increasing year by year . The WHO is sounding the alarm that the optimal intake of salt is about 5g per day . This is the equivalent of one teaspoon. Excessive amounts can lead to heart, kidney, and circulatory system problems. So, given the significantly exceeded limits and its health effects, how can we limit our salt intake?

The key is to eliminate highly processed foods. It's also worth experimenting with herbs and other spices that add flavor to your dishes. These could include garlic, ginger, turmeric, pepper, or lemon juice . In this case, consuming less than 5g of salt per day shouldn't be a problem.

Table salt - use

If you don't eat processed foods and make sure your shopping cart is filled with healthy, fresh, and organic products, then completely eliminating salt from your meals isn't necessary. Remember that salt is especially beneficial for those who exercise . Furthermore, remember that it can be used for purposes other than enhancing the flavor of food.

Unusual properties of table salt:

• a bath with salt will relax you and firm your skin,
• you can make a homemade salt scrub,
• salt works great as a moisture absorber,
• Adding salt to the hot water in the hot water bottle will keep it warm longer.

But let's get back to salting foods: which salt should you choose? Which salt is healthiest and will provide you with the most nutrients?

Which salt is best?

There are many different varieties of salt: rock, sea, black, Himalayan, iodized, non-iodized, and Dead Sea. Furthermore, the packaging often includes the words "iodized" and "non-iodized." So which one is healthiest?

Iodized and non-iodized salt

You'll find various types of table salt on the market. Iodized salt is used because in some regions, it was impossible to obtain iodine from water or food, even in small amounts . Non-iodized salt, on the other hand, is perfect for making homemade preserves. This is the type of salt we recommend because it is the least processed.

Rock salt and sea salt

Rock salt was created a very long time ago, when the planet was mostly covered by seas. Climate warming and water evaporation caused the salt to crystallize, creating deposits. Technically, it's sea salt, extracted from rock formed long before humans walked the Earth.

Sea salt, which can be purchased in stores under this name, is extracted from saltwater on a regular basis . A healthy alternative to this variety is Nigari sea salt , which is a byproduct of the production of classic sea salt. It consists of 95% magnesium chloride. You can read more about it in the article "Nigari - A Spice You Need to Know ." Nigari sea salt also adds a unique flavor to dishes.

The table salt most Poles have in their homes is refined and additionally enriched with iodine and special substances that prevent it from clumping. Therefore, it is a highly processed product that lacks significant amounts of other minerals, such as magnesium, calcium, zinc, or manganese. Therefore, choose healthier versions – unrefined salts, which do not contain unnecessary enhancers.

Klodawska salt

Kłodawa salt comes from the mines in Kłodawa. It's a Polish salt from the Dworów region, free of anti-caking agents and unrefined , and it's not transported from distant lands. It's rock salt, so it has the same properties (it's largely composed of sodium). Depending on the mineral concentration, its color can range from gray to pink to blue. It's worth remembering that colored Kłodawa salt doesn't need to contain enhancers to give it its beautiful hue! So, there's no need to worry about its color.

Himalayan salt

Himalayan salt has been breaking records in popularity recently – it's unrefined and contains no unnecessary additives . Furthermore, it has a beautiful pink or gray color. The properties and uses of Himalayan salt are the same as unrefined rock salt – and you shouldn't overdo it with either product. Too much salt in our food leads to a higher intake of sodium , which in excessive amounts has a negative impact on our health.

Kala Namak Salt (Black Salt) - Properties

Kala Namak black salt is used in both Polish and Oriental cuisine . It also makes an excellent addition to all vegan dishes. Contrary to appearances, it's not black—its colors range from dusty pink to purple. Kala Namak salt also contains significant amounts of iron . It also has a distinctive, eggy aroma, giving dishes a distinct, unusual flavor.

Dead Sea salt

Dead Sea salt is primarily used in cosmetics . It can aid in the treatment of acne, cellulite, and psoriasis. It is the most frequently added salt to cosmetics worldwide. This sea salt has interesting properties because it contains:

• magnesium
• calcium
• sodium
• chlorides
• potassium
• bromides.

Dead Sea salt is also used for sore throats - it can help fight infection and pain, and can also help get rid of bad breath.

Which salt should I choose?

So which salt should you choose? Much depends on your taste preferences. Any salt should be used sparingly , alternating with additives like organic spices or herbs. However, it's difficult to say definitively which salt will be best for you, as all salts primarily contain iodine, and excess salt can contribute to many serious illnesses. However, if you use it in small amounts, it 's worth choosing salt based on its flavor .

Which salt is the healthiest?

Which salt is the healthiest? We recommend Himalayan rock salt, Kala Namak, and Klodawa salt . Healthy table salt is one that isn't highly processed—so make sure the salt you choose has anti-caking additives. Salt can have a beneficial effect on health when consumed in small amounts. It's worth including it in your diet, but in small amounts.