Useful Information

The seas have different salt ratios depending on their geographical locations. However, it may be said that 1 liter of sea water contains 35 grams of salt approximately. When we speak about the salt in sea water, only table salt (NaCl – Sodium Chloride) should not come into our minds, there are calcium, magnesium, potassium etc. mineral salts in the sea salt as well.

Sea salt is produced from sea water with 100% natural methods and it does not undergo any process which changes the natural state of the salt. Thus, 84 different minerals which are contained in the sea water together with sodium and chloride enrich the salt and sea salt contains more minerals when compared to other salts.  These natural minerals are very valuable for healthy functioning of the body.  The richness of the sea salt by means of nutrition consists of minerals such as sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, bromide, chloride, iron, copper and zinc and lots of other beneficial elements as well.

Some of the benefits of adding sea salt to your diet are given below:

A strong immunity system –Sea salt helps you to build up a strong immune system so that you can fight off the cold virus, the fever and flu, allergies and other autoimmune disorders.  Unlike other salts, it does the job without causing high blood pressure and other health problems.

The benefits of sea salt in enhancing immunity can be understood in a few ways:

• Salt directly destroys bacteria and viruses.  This answers the question of why salt is used as a preservative in foods against rotting.
• Salt contributes to strong immunity by thickening the blood. 

Actually, all types of salt produce the above effects.  But it is only when you use natural sea salt, and use it properly, that you avoid high blood pressure and other problems that have been blamed on salt.

The benefits of sea salt in enhancing immunity also depend on the amount of water we drink. This is because saltiness of fluids determines whether a particular life form lives or dies.

The role of water is opposite to that of salt.  While we can kill bacteria by adding salt, we can also kill bacteria by removing water.  The balance of salt and water is therefore crucial.  If we have too much salt and/or too little water, we die.  If we have too little salt and/or too much water, bacteria will flourish and we may also die.

It is crucial, therefore, to balance the benefits of sea salt with the benefits of drinking water.  Just as taking lots of salt is harmful, drinking lots of water is also harmful - it weakens the cell membrane structure and allows viruses to enter.  On their own, viruses are harmless.  They cause problems only when they enter our cells.

Alkalizing: Sea salt is alkalizing to the body, as it has not been exposed to high heat and stripped of its minerals, nor does it have any harmful man-made ingredients added to it.  Bacteria and viruses do not thrive in alkaline conditions which in turn eliminates the risks for serious and life-threatening diseases.

Weight Loss:  Believe it or not, but sea salt can also help you in weight loss.  It helps the body to create digestive juices so that the foods you eat are digested faster, and it helps to prevent buildup in the digestive tract, which eventually can lead to constipation and weight gain.

Skin Conditions: A sea salt bath can help to relieve dry and itchy skin as well as serious conditions such as eczema and psoriasis.  The bath naturally opens up the pores, improves circulation in the skin and hydrates the tissues so that your skin can heal.

Dental Health: Sea salt contains fluoride, which is beneficial for promoting dental health.  Fluoride aids in protecting the teeth from acidic damage and prevents the development of caries and cavities.  Regular rinsing and gargling with sea salt water helps tp alleviate mouth sores, bleeding gums, ulcers and the pain of sore throats.

Asthma:  Sea salt is effective in reducing inflammation in the respiratory system.  Thus the production of phlegm is slowed down so that you can breathe easier again.  Some say that sprinkling sea salt on the tongue after drinking a glass of water is just as effective as using an inhaler.  But the great thing about sea salt is that it has no side effects when taken in moderation.

Heart Health: When salt is taken with water it can help to reduce high cholesterol levels, high blood pressure and help to regulate an irregular heartbeat, thanks to its sodium and magnesium content:  Thus sea salt can help to prevent atherosclerosis, heart attacks and strokes.

Diabetes:  Sea salt can help to reduce the need for insulin by helping to maintain proper sugar levels in the body.  Thus the salt is an essential part of the diet if you are diabetic, or at risk for the disease.

Osteoporosis: Just over 1/4 of the amount of salt that is in the body is stored in the bones, where it helps to keep them strong. When the body lacks salt and water it begins to draw the sodium from the bones, which then eventually can lead to osteoporosis.  Thus by drinking plenty of water and consuming salt in moderation you can prevent osteoporosis.

Muscle Spasms: Potassium is essential for helping the muscles to function properly.  Sea salt not only contains small amounts of potassium, but it also helps the body to absorb it better from other foods.  Thus it is effective in helping to prevent muscle pains, spasms and cramps.

Depression: Sea salt also has shown to be effective in treating various types of depression.  The salt helps to preserve three essential hormones in the body that help you to better deal with stress. These hormones are serotonin, melatonin and tryptamine, which help you to feel good, and relax and sleep better at night.

Salt Institute of United States of America has the following findings about the salt consumption based on the results of the scientific researches made: 

• In 1% of the countries around the world daily salt consumption per person is above 14 grams (high level).
• In 73% of the countries around the world daily salt consumption per person is between 7,1 - 14 grams (medium level).
• In more than 25% of the countries around the world daily salt consumption per person is under 7,1 grams (low level).  All of these countries are located in Africa continent and Caribbean.

According to this, medium level seems as the most reliable level by means of health.  For detailed information you can visit www.saltinstitute.orgweb page.

Iodine is a vital element which enables thyroid gland to be active in human body.  Iodine deficiency may cause the enlargement of thyroid gland (goiter disease) and also it may cause permanent mental retardation in the neonates and learning difficulties due to its effect on the brain development.  Within this scope lots of international councils as well as Turkish Republic Ministry of Health hold consciousness raising campaigns with regards to iodine.  According to the research made by the World Health Organization Turkey was listed in 1993 among the countries with “serious iodine deficiency” however in 2013 the country ratio increased and reached to normal iodine use levels.

Just like in almost all the sea products there is iodine in natural sea salt.  Contrary to what is believed, the salts which are known as “Natural Himalayan Salt” in the public do not contain iodine.