Himalayan salt is one of the most versatile preparedness items you can add to your stockpile

March 04, 2022 Denis I

Salt is an essential part of everyday life. It is the most widely used food seasoning on Earth, capable of enhancing the flavor of any type of dish.[1] When you add salt to your food, it breaks down into two electrically charged atoms, or ions: sodium (Na⁺) and chloride (Cl^-). Sodium is what gives that salty flavor to your food, while chloride modulates the taste. [2] Sodium makes up about 40% of the salt you use for seasoning, and it’s important for a variety of bodily functions. [3]

Your muscles and nerves, for instance, need sodium to function properly. Sodium, together with potassium, helps your nerve cells transmit electrical signals that eventually prompt your muscles to contract. Not having enough sodium is detrimental to your health, as it impairs your brain’s ability to communicate with other body parts and leads to muscle weakness and twitching. [4][5]

Sodium also plays a huge role in your body’s ability to maintain fluid balance. Both sodium and chloride function as electrolytes – essential minerals found in your body fluids that carry an electric charge. [6] Together, they help keep the amount of fluid inside and outside of your cells balanced, which is crucial for keeping your cells healthy. These electrolytes also help move nutrients into your cells and allow cellular waste to be transported out. [7][8]

When you sweat, you lose water and electrolytes, particularly sodium and chloride. Since these minerals help deliver fluids to your cells, it is important that you keep them at healthy levels to avoid dehydration. [9] Dehydration causes fatigue and a decrease in your physical performance, which could greatly reduce your ability to cope with emergency situations. [10]

To avoid these problems, it’s important to have a reliable source of sodium and chloride ions like salt in your diet. According to research, most of the chloride in your body comes from salt. When added to food, salt is also a good source of sodium. It even has other uses that make it a handy item to have in your survival stockpile.

The difference between Himalayan salt and regular table salt

Different types of salt exist on the planet. The most common type known to man is table salt, which is white, granulated and comes from underground salt deposits. Table salt goes through a lot of processing to ensure the removal of other minerals besides sodium and chloride. [11] Manufacturers also add additives, or anti-caking agents, to table salt to prevent the salt crystals from clumping. [12] As a result, table salt often does more harm than good for your body.

Compared to table salt, sea salt undergoes less processing, which is why many people consider it to be healthier. [13] Sea salt is formed by allowing saltwater collected from lakes or the ocean to evaporate. It is mostly left unrefined and, depending on where the saltwater came from, may contain certain trace minerals. However, sea salt is often contaminated with microplastics and heavy metals due to pollution. [14]

But there is another type of salt that is considered the best for human health. Himalayan salt, also known as pink salt, comes from natural deposits found in the Himalayan foothills and the Punjab region in Pakistan. [15] Unlike refined table salt, Himalayan salt naturally contains iodine and iron oxide, a compound composed of iron and oxygen that gives the salt its distinct pink color. Apart from being mined and washed by hand, Himalayan salt doesn’t go through any other processing, which is why it is considered the purest salt on Earth.

According to research, Himalayan salt is only 98% sodium chloride; the remaining 2% is a combination of up to 84 different minerals, including essential macrominerals like calcium, magnesium, potassium and sulfur. The presence of these nutrients is not only good for your body but also explains why Himalayan salt tastes different from table salt. [16]

According to the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, adults should not consume more than 2,300 milligrams (mg) of sodium a day. [17] Following a diet that exceeds this recommendation is detrimental to your health and could lead to serious health issues like high blood pressure, loss of bone calcium, heart disease and stroke. [18] For comparison, one teaspoon of Himalayan salt contains about 1680 mg of sodium, while the same serving of table salt contains about 2,325 mg of sodium.

Since Himalayan salt has larger salt crystals than table salt, it contains less sodium per teaspoon. It is also naturally saltier, so you won’t need to use as much Himalayan salt as you would table salt when seasoning your food. Considering you get sodium from other foods, you can control your sodium intake much better with Himalayan salt.

Health benefits and uses of Himalayan salt*

Switching to Himalayan salt offers certain health benefits that can give you an advantage in any type of situation. Besides improving the taste of your food while providing less sodium than table salt, Himalayan salt also does the following:

Supports optimal electrolyte balance – As mentioned earlier, your body constantly loses electrolytes when you sweat. Himalayan salt is 98% sodium and chloride, which are the two most abundant electrolytes found in sweat. [19] It also contains other important electrolytes like potassium, calcium and magnesium, which you lose as well in lower amounts. Together with nutritious foods and drinks that are naturally high in electrolytes like potatoes, spinach and organic coconut water, Himalayan salt can help you maintain optimal electrolyte levels to support your body’s fluid balance.
Supports healthy blood pressure levels that are already within the normal range – According to a study published in the journal Frontiers in Cardiovascular Medicine, maintaining healthy sodium levels and optimal fluid balance is the best way to support your body’s natural ability to regulate blood pressure. [20] With regular exercise, a healthy diet and moderate sodium intake made easier with Himalayan salt, you can support your body’s natural ability to maintain healthy blood pressure levels that are already within the normal range. [21][22]
Supports healthy energy levels – In order to handle an emergency situation as best you can, you need to have healthy energy levels. Foods that contain complex carbohydrates can give you lasting energy, while electrolytes like sodium, chloride, potassium and calcium can help your body do much of its work. This includes supporting healthy nerve and muscle functions, which allow you to move, and producing energy. [23] Because Himalayan salt can support optimal electrolyte balance, it can also help you maintain healthy energy levels.
Supports healthy, glowing skin – According to dermatologists, electrolytes enable cells to regulate pH levels and maintain proper hydration. [24] This is very important for your skin, whose outermost layer needs sufficient moisture to not only stay smooth and elastic, but also to flush out toxins. [25] Because electrolytes help your skin retain water, maintaining healthy levels of these electrically charged minerals with the help of high-electrolyte foods and Himalayan salt, is an excellent way to support healthy, glowing skin.

Himalayan salt has other uses besides adding flavor to your dishes. For instance, you can use it to preserve food or cure meats, fish or vegetables without worrying about adding too much sodium to your diet. You can also use Himalayan salt to make an emergency rehydration fluid to replace lost electrolytes. To do so, simply dissolve half a teaspoon of Himalayan salt and six teaspoons of organic sugar in four cups of water.

Another useful solution that you can make with Himalayan salt is a saline solution for cleaning wounds. To prepare one, dissolve 10 grams of Himalayan salt in one liter of water and use this solution to clean open wounds. Note that it is not advisable to apply raw salt directly to your wounds. A saline solution is great for cleansing wounds because it is non-toxic, isotonic and does not damage healing tissues. [26]

When in dire need of rest and relaxation, you can also use Himalayan salt to prepare a salt bath. According to a study published in the journal Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, soaking in a warm bath helps reduce stressful feelings and fatigue. [27] A warm Himalayan salt bath can also help soothe sore and tired muscles, as well as help your skin retain hydration.

Where to get lab-verified, fine ground Himalayan salt

Because of its many uses, Himalayan salt is one of the most useful preparedness items you can add to your emergency stockpile. In fact, its versatility makes it a valuable barter item to have. More than just a healthy alternative to table salt, pink Himalayan salt can also be used for food preservation and for making rehydration and wound-cleansing solutions that you can use during emergencies.

To help you build a great emergency preparedness stockpile, the Health Ranger Store is offering a wide selection of Pink Himalayan Salt products. These premium coarse and fine ground Himalayan salts contain an abundance of sodium and chloride, as well as other minerals you won’t find in regular table salt.

Our Health Ranger Select Pink Himalayan Salt is mined from ancient salt deposits located deep inside the Himalayan Mountains using traditional room and pillar mining. To ensure high quality and purity, the mined salt crystals were thoroughly inspected and tested for quality and purity.

Our clean, lab-verified Pink Himalayan Coarse and Fine Ground Salt does not contain GMOs, gluten, anti-caking or bonding agents, additives or processing aids. Our products are also vegan, non-China, certified Kosher and lab tested for glyphosate, heavy metals and microbiology.

Stay healthy and complete your emergency stockpile with the addition of clean and versatile pink Himalayan salt!

*These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. This product is not recommended to treat, cure or diagnose any disease.

References

[1] https://www.sciencefocus.com

[2] https://www.scienceabc.com

[3] https://www.medicalnewstoday.com

[4] https://healthyeating.sfgate.com

[5] https://saltassociation.co.uk

[6] https://medlineplus.gov

[7] https://www.uofmhealth.org

[8] https://medlineplus.gov

[9] https://health.usnews.com