Introduction
The use of black salt was first researched and documented in traditional Ayurvedic medicine. Ayurvedic medicine is of Indian origin, and nutritionists support using black salt instead of table salt as a healthier substitute because of its potential therapeutic qualities. However, it is still being debated by health experts and needs further evidence and research to study the full health benefits of the commonly used fortified or iodized table salts.
What Are the Nutrition Claims of Black Salt?
Nutrition research is now focusing on the various purported health benefits of black salt being beneficial to systemic health. Several households around the globe consider this more healthy than conventional table salt. Different types of black salt exist, of which Himalayan black salt is the most common. Black salt offers a unique flavor to spicy or savory dishes and has several potential health benefits. The Himalayan black salt or rock salt comes mainly from the salt mines of Pakistan, Bangladesh, India, Nepal, and other locations in the Himalayas.
What Are the Types of Black Salt?
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Himalayan Black Salt: It is also called Indian black salt or rock salt. Despite the name, the Himalayan black salt is pinkish-brown in color. This salt has a typical pungent, savory flavor. It has been used for centuries and is popular in the culinary world in Asian and Indian cuisines. It has a subtle, sulfurous aroma and is also used in vegan cooking to a great extent.
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Black Lava Salt: It is known as Hawaiian black salt because of its origin in Hawaii. In contrast to the Himalayan black salt, this salt is black, with an earthy flavor and distinctive taste. This is usually used culinarily as a finishing salt and sprinkled over the food after cooking.
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Black Ritual Salt: It is also called Witches' salt. This salt is a mixture of ash, sea salt, charcoal, and black dye. This kind of black salt is unfit for consumption and is believed to be a part of superstitious rituals in several countries throughout the globe.
How Is Black Salt Manufactured?
Traditionally, these salts are mixed with other herbs, seeds, or spices and are usually heated to higher temperatures. The commercially available black salts are synthetically made from a combination of sodium chloride, sodium sulfate, sodium bisulfate, ferric sulfate, etc. This synthetic salt is mixed with charcoal and heated before the final product is obtained.
What Is the Nutritional Content of Black Salt?
The nutritional value of black salt is because of its essential trace mineral content. Nutritional components per 100 g (gram) of black salt include:
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Sodium 37.83 grams.
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Iron 43.1milligrams.
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Potassium 87 milligrams.
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Chloride 60.3 grams.
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Sulfur 450 milligrams.
What Are the Advantages of Black Salt?
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The Himalayan black salt yields a typical sulfurous aroma and is used in most unique Asian cooking as it has multiple health benefits compared to table salt. It yields an earthy, smoky flavor for the dishes.
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The naturally derived black salt has a considerably lower sodium content that would be especially useful for individuals with hypertension and can also be cardioprotective.
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Individuals who look forward to healthy weight loss or follow specific diet patterns are advised by their dietician or nutritionist to consider black salt a much better option because of the lowered sodium content. Diets high in sodium may harm individuals suffering from hypertension and cardiovascular diseases.
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Black salt is known to be beneficial in treating constipation due to its laxative properties. According to research, it can soften hard stools, making bowel movements easier.
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Black salt would aid in better or improved digestion because of its naturally alkalizing property. It is known to increase the production of acid in our stomach and bile juice in the liver.
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Black salt contains a modest amount of iron which in turn may contribute to or aid in the production of hemoglobin in the body and hence would potentially benefit blood health.
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Further research is being done on using black salt to enhance skin and hair care.
Why Should the Labels Be Checked Before Purchasing Salt?
As the sodium content would vary between different commercially available brands, checking the nutrition labels before purchasing black salt is always advisable. Some of the commercial table salts would contain anti-caking agents and harmful additives like potassium iodate and aluminum silicate. Potassium iodate is known to increase the fat oxidation process. It can cause potential cellular or tissue damage, lowering immunity and increasing the risk of developing systemic diseases. Traditional black salt is usually derived through minimal processing and has fewer additives than regular table salt, so it is considered a good alternative.
Conclusion
Black salt contains fewer additives and is derived by natural processing compared to regular table salt. It is also a great replacement and a natural alternative to table salt for Indo-Asian recipes and can be both flavorful and immune-boosting because of its mineral content. The recommended daily consumption of sodium is around 2300 mg (milligram) per day; hence it is always advisable to consume salt in moderation, regardless of the type of salt.
