Does Himalayan Salt Live Up To Its Health-Nut Reputation?

Is Himalayan salt as good as those who love it say it is? If you have asked yourself this question, you are not alone. 

Do You Need The Minerals In Himalayan Salt?

A prime reason your crunchy friends recommend you buy Himalayan salt is the idea that it contains tons of minerals that your body needs to stay healthy. Some people even go so far as to say that Himalayan salt contains 84 minerals, but some — like oxygen — aren't technically minerals at all. 

It is true that Himalayan pink salt contains phosphorus, bromine, boron, and zinc, among other minerals, but these elements are present only in minuscule amounts that aren't going to make much of a difference to your health. Not that that matters, because you will be getting these minerals anyway if you make sure you eat a healthy and balanced diet. Himalayan salt also contains some minerals that are downright toxic in large amounts — "pass the plutonium and lead" doesn't sound that good, does it? The good news is that these minerals are pretty harmless when they're present in trace amounts, as they are in Himalayan salt. 

All in all, the claim that you should use Himalayan salt because it contains lots of minerals simply does not hold up.

Does Himalayan Salt Cure Skin And Respiratory Conditions?

Research suggests that the high levels of magnesium found in the Dead Sea have a healing effect on skin conditions like psoriasis. There's no reason to believe Himalayan salt couldn't have a similar effect. Magnesium will hydrate your skin, while also offering anti-inflammatory properties. You may just enjoy visiting a salt room or having a bath with Himalayan salt, and it may just help you if you have a skin condition. Having your skin exposed to large quantities of Himalayan salt won't harm you, so you have nothing to lose but money.

Does Himalayan salt help with asthma, other lung conditions, and allergies, then? There is indeed some evidence that cystic fibrosis patients enjoy increased lung function after they inhale a concentrated Himalaya salt solution, so it's possible that there is truth to these claims. Some doctors believe inhaling salt-infused air will actually irritate asthma patients' lungs, however, so caution is advisable. 

In Conclusion...

Buying Himalaya salt to use on your food will make you look hip. As the grains are coarser and more apparent, seasoning your meals with it may also make you use less salt overall, which is a good thing. Himalaya salt lamps aren't going to do much for your health, but they do look nice. If you have psoriasis, you have nothing to lose by bathing with Himalayan salt, but if you suffer from a respiratory condition, you will want to talk to your doctor before booking a salt room session. 

READ Not All Salt Is The Same. Which Is The Healthiest?