Uses of Pink Himalayan Salt
Himalayan pink salt is a rock salt mined in the foothills of the great Himalayan range in the northern Indian state of Himachal Pradesh. This type of rock salt has many uses that make it desirable as both a food seasoning and as an alternative material for salt lamps. Himalayan salt is also mined in the foothills of the western Himalayan range in Nepal and Tibet. Although it is considered by many to be better than table salt because of its numerous health benefits, many people still prefer it for its look and the aesthetic qualities it possesses.
Pink Himalayan salt is mined by deep underground pores in the rock caused by high pressure. This causes the mineral to be very heavy, about the weight of a tennis ball. Although it is mined in countries with some of the best mineral content around the world, most of the salt is manufactured in the lowland areas of Pakistan and India. The Himalayan crystal salt extracted from the Himalayan mountains is highly refined and generally not suitable for use as table salt or even as an alternative material for lamps. It is extremely heavy and therefore very rare and difficult to get.
A large proportion of this type of mineral is used as an alternative salt for making table salt; this is because it is found to be the largest salt mines in the world, second only to the Grand Canyon. Pink Himalayan salt comes from places where there are no large reserves, so the mineworkers have to dig very deep wells to extract the deposits. It is estimated that the largest salt mines in the world are in Mexico and South America, to China and Pakistan claim to have the biggest deposits.
As regards the health benefits, many people claim that the natural minerals found within the Pink Himalayan salt improve immune system function. There is also evidence that suggests that they have positive effects on cardiovascular health. Salt is often said to help reduce the risk of cancer and heart disease. The magnesium content is said by many people to aid in reducing blood pressure, while the sodium content is said to help with water retention and the balance of electrolytes, with the potassium helping to increase the levels of energy and provide the body with the much-needed sodium to make sure that blood cells get enough potassium.
As regards the non-dietary uses of Himalayan pink salt, it has long been used in cookery to add color and flavor. It has also been said to help with the absorption of the B vitamins in the food or at least help to enhance its mineral content. However, experts claim that although eating plenty of pink salt will help the intake of these important vitamins, it is not necessary to eat large amounts on a regular basis.
One of the most commonly seen uses of this salt is for seasoning the food we eat. Its trace amounts of magnesium and potassium along with sodium make it a particularly good addition to a lot of salads and vegetables. It also does a great job of adding a little bit of color and flavor to foods that don't have any taste at all. A lot of health-conscious cooks are using it in their recipes now, though, as its trace amounts of nutrients make it ideal for increasing the nutritional value of what we eat. Its use as a natural alternative to salt is also seen in a lot of alternative cuisines, where it is used to add a little bit of extra flavor without having to sacrifice the nutritional content of a dish.
Pink Himalayan salt helps to bring out the flavor of foods when combined with seasonings such as herbs, garlic, and Rosemary. It also helps to release the natural fluid balance of certain foods such as fish or poultry, so that when you cook them, they come out softer and with a more distinct flavor. The flavor that can be gained from using this kind of salt is limited only by your imagination and cooking skills, and it works wonders for people who struggle to find just the right seasoning to bring out the best flavor in their food.
However, this kind of salt is actually harder to obtain than the regular kind, mainly because it comes in quite tiny granules that need to be broken before they can be used. This makes the process a little more labor-intensive, which explains why most stores still sell the regular salt in bulk. Pink Himalayan salt can also vary quite a bit in terms of its mineral content, with one study finding that it contains up to 22 percent of calcium, much higher than most salts. However, it is still a relatively expensive crystal salt and can easily be bought on the bulk market.
