Reasons to fall in love with Sea Salt and why it matters for your optimum health

A Healing Mineral Guide

Sea Salt is the first minteral to feature in my Healing Mineral Guide. 

The first thing to understand when talking about salt is the distinguisable difference between Natural Sea Salt extracted from the ocean and refined Table Salt chemically processed as an additive for processed foods or as a staple grocery item sold in various forms in the supermarket.

It is essential to know that Table Salt is highly refined and has a negative nutritional value. Mined from underground deposits rather than the Sea, chemicals are involved in the 'cleaning' process which strips away any natural trace minerals that are beneficial to health. Table Salt often contains anti-caking agents to increase its shelf life and other additives may be included that cause harm in the long term. The main issue is not just the processing, but the quantity of intake when refined salt is 'hidden' in the majority of manufactured and take-away foods. This adds up when you are not aware of the cumulative amount of process salt you are consuming.

Depriving the human body of the natural trace minerals and sodium found in Sea Salt, leads to a deficiency causing all manner of health issues including high blood pressure (hypertension), cardiovascular disease and strokes.

By demonising all salt as a health risk, the food and medical industry have deprived us of a regular, daily intake of natural Sea Salt that every human being needs to maintain homeostatis and live a healthy, active life.

A point of fact

I found all I needed to know about the dangers of Table Salt compared to the vital, life-giving value of Natural Sea Salt in a book I reviewed here in December 2024 called The Salt Fix by Dr James DiNicolantonio PharmD (see below). This is where I learned about the Salt Wars and how we have been duped to believe that all salt is bad for us without mentioning the fact that the multitude of trace minteral compounds found in Sea Salt are required for healing, cleansing, energising and maintaining optimum health.

The truth is, we don't need research to know that salt is an essential part of us. We cry salt, we sweat salt, the cells in our bodies are bathed in salty fluids and we crave saltiness. As a leading cardiovascular research scientist, Dr DiNicholantonio informs tells us that our human bodies need the trace mineral components found in Sea Salt for hydration, muscle contraction, nerve signal transmission, pH balance enzyme production, efficient adrenal and thyroid function, and more.

The amazing thing is that the trace minerals found in Sea Salt carry a positive or negative electric charge when dissolved in bodily fluids and the blood. They are responsible for maintaining a steady heart rhythm and regulating blood pressure. They act like tiny batteries, carrying electrical charges that allow cells to communicate. These electrolytes are excreted naturally from the body in various ways which is why we need to keep ourselves topped up through the consumption of Sea Salt and water (and other minerals I will share here), and as part of a healthy diet and natural lifestyle.

Natural Sea Salt contains from around 60 to over 80 trace minerals including sodium, chloride, phosphate, bicarbonate, magnesium, calcium, potassium, iodine, iron, copper, manganese, zinc, selenium, sulfur, silicon, boron, chromium, molybdenum, vanadium and more.

With nearly 50 pages of notes and references, The Salt Fix is a comprehensive source of knowledge about the qualities of Sea Salt, how it helps the body to heal and maintain health, and how best to introduce this life-giving mineral (and others that our bodies can't make themselves) into your daily life.

A popular choice

Natural Sea Salt is produced from evaporated ocean water and comes in dozens of varieties defined by region, mineral content, harvesting method and lack of exposure to pollution. It is important to ensure it is minimally processed, unrefined and certified for organic, natural production (certified for organic input) rather than simply being labelled organic as Sea Salt is a mineral, not an agricultural product.

• Redmond Real Salt
  Harvested from an ancient seabed in Redmond, Utah with 60 trace minerals and a high calcium content. Contains iodine and potassium with a sweeter flavour than Pink Himalyayan Salt.
  
  
• Pink Himalayan Salt
  Harvested by hand by skilled workers using traditional methods with little to no pollution. A natural product containing 80+ trace minerals including iron, calcium and potassium which gives it its pink hue.
  
  
• Celtic Sea Salt 
  Harvested naturally from the coastal regions of France known for its grey colour and coarse, moist texture. Rich with 82 trace minerals including calcium, potassium, magnesium and iodine.
  
  
• Red Alaea Salt
  Havested from the Hawaiian islands with a distinctive red colour obtained from volcanic clay. It is rich in minerals such as iron oxide. It is used widely in Hawaiian cuisine and for its therapeutic properties.
  
  
• Dead Sea Salt
  Harvested from the Dead Sea in the Middle East and known for the high concentration of minerals such as magnesium, potassium and calcium. Often used for therapeutic purposes to alleviate skin conditions such as psoriasis and eczema.
  
  
• Fleur de Sel 
  Harvested from salt pans in coastal regions of France, the name of which means theFlower of Salt. It has a delicate flavour and is often used in cooking as a finishing salt for salads, soups and other dishes.
  
  
• Irish Mineral Sea Salt
  Harvested from the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of Ireland and known for its high mineral content and unique flavour. It is often used in cooking as a finishing salt for meats and vegetables.

A pinch of salt

There is no question that the more Sea Salt we introduce to our lives as a dab with a small glass of water taken at intervals through the day or as a generous sprinkling on savoury foods, the less the craving for sweet things. I rarely feel the need to eat sugar unless it's Maple Syrup on pancakes or Raw Honey in a large slice of homemade cake.

Remember that sweetness was a rare treat for our Hunter Gatherer ancestors and should be for us too. We often only need to make small adjustments to bring about significant results that can make all the difference. Like anything else to do with dietary health, it requires some research to understand what the source of a problem might be and what our body needs to heal and to maintain good health on a day to day basis.

I often talk about removing harmful processed foods from the diet as much as possible so that the true benefits of switching to healthy foods, nutrients and minerals can be experienced. It takes time to realise that supplements are not the answer, we have to give our body the tools it needs to make its own nutrients. Minerals are the key and you can do no harm by remembering to take a dab of Sea Salt with your regular (and small) top ups of filtered water.

All savoury foods tastes bland without Sea Salt so this should be cause for celebration. Sea Salt also helps to reduce bitterness and balance or mask excessive sweetness in desserts and sweet treats. It triggers receptors that make desserts taste richer, more fragrant, and more balanced.

So, no holding back, your body will thank you for it and you will be rewarded with improved hydration, energy and electrolyte balance, good digestion and reduced muscle cramping. Sea Salt has been treasured for its permanence and wisdom over the centuries for a reason, and why it always accompanied prayers to enhance effectiveness.

Buy the book

The Salt Fix - Why the Experts Got it All Wrong and How Eating More Might Save Your Life by Dr James DiNicolantonio

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Read the review

The Salt Fix by Dr James DiNicolantonio PharmD by Sue Cartwright