Due to the availability of different kinds of salt, it has become very difficult for consumers to choose the right one that is most suitable for their needs.

Currently, salt baths are getting very popular as they promise extraordinary beauty and skin benefits along with relaxing stiff and tired muscles. The very thought of a warm bath or soak filled with beneficial salt crystals promising to do wonders to your skin and muscles seems so relaxing.

This whole thing gets a little tricky when you have to choose the right salt to add to your bath. The markets are full of different types of salts each claiming to be the best. Epsom salt has been in use at spas for this purpose for a long time now. Remember those beauty traveling kits containing a small packet full of tiny cubes of salt? That was Epsom salt which was included in the traveling kits for the travelers to use and get relaxed.

Since the past few years, Himalayan salt has emerged in the markets claiming to be extremely beneficial for human health. Himalayan salt is used for consumption as well as in bath soaks. Let us talk in detail about both the salts to know which one is suitable for us.

Introduction

Scientifically speaking, salt is composed of two components that are chemically combined. One of the components is metal while the other is non-metal. The charges that these components carry always balance out to give zero.

The amount of these chemical components make all the salts different from each other. A common question that is asked frequently by a bath salt user is:

Can I Use Rock Salt Instead Of Epsom Salt?

Yes, you can use pink rock salt for bath soaks but both the salts are very different from each other and hence yield different benefits.

Himalayan Salt

Himalayan salt is extracted from the Himalayan salt ranges. These salt ranges are located at the foothills of the Himalayan mountains in Pakistan. The Himalayan salt crystals have beautiful shades of pink and orange and resemble tiny rocks. The intermolecular structure of the crystals enables them to hold quantum energy that makes this salt special. 

Himalayan salt nutrition is due to the presence of as many as 84 trace minerals including sodium and chloride. The sodium level is found to be lower than other salts. Himalayan salt iodine content also makes it different from other salts though it is present in trace quantity. All the Himalayan salt minerals are already present in the human body and are vital for the proper functioning of the organs.

Benefits Of The Himalayan Salt

•         Regulates water level in the body
•         Balances the pH level of the body
•         Supplements and regulates blood and sugar level of the body
•         Improves respiratory health
•         Cleans up the kidneys and urinary tract
•         Improves cardiovascular functions
•         Claims to be an anti-aging agent
•         Helps relieve muscle cramps
•         Helps in contributing to better sleep for people suffering from insomnia
•         Helps in improving cognitive and nerve functionality
•         People use Himalayan pink salt for weight loss

Epsom Salt

Epsom salt is not actually a salt, but a mineral found in water that contains high levels of magnesium and sulfate. The crystals of this mineral resemble those of the table salt which is why it is called a ‘salt’. It has no sodium chloride (salt) and is chemically called magnesium sulfate. It was first found by distilling water in the English town Epsom in Surrey, back in the 1800s.

Studies show that the nature of human skin makes the absorption of magnesium and sulfate very easy. Epsom salt is, therefore, an excellent way to get the benefits of these two minerals.

Health Benefits Of The Epsom Salt Bath Detox

•         The magnesium present in the Epsom salt regulates the activities of enzymes in the body.
•         It helps reduce inflammation.
•         Helps in keeping the nerve and muscle function run smoothly.
•         The magnesium eases the hardening of the arteries.
•         Epsom salt is used by therapists for relieving migraine and headaches.
•         It helps in flushing toxins out of the body.
•         The sulfate present in Epsom salt helps in treating the athlete’s foot.
•         Epsom salt is also being used for weight loss.

Now that we have discussed the source and health benefits of both the salts, let us talk about their physical differences and uses.

What Is The Difference In The Appearance Of Both The Salts?

There is an obvious difference in the appearance of the Epsom and the Himalayan salt. The Himalayan salt is actually an ancient deposit of salt resulting from massive sea evaporation. It is found in salt mines and is extracted in the form of huge blocks. These blocks are then sliced, cut, or ground according to the need. The Himalayan salt contains 84 trace minerals that are responsible for the beautiful pink and orange colors it is famous for.

Epsom salt is not salt in the first place. It was first extracted by the distillation of water. It is not natural and is made with a substance that contains magnesium. The crystals of Epsom salt resemble the table salt crystals and are crystal-white in color.

How To Use Himalayan Salt?

Himalayan salt is versatile as it can be used in many ways. Some popular uses of the natural rock salt are:

•         Himalayan salt blocks and lamps are used as unique décor pieces.
•         Salt lamps are used as air purifiers.
•         Himalayan salt is a great food additive. It enhances the flavors while providing plenty of health benefits.
•         Himalayan salt licks are used for animals like dogs, deer, and horses. The salt licks help in the strengthening and growth of animals’ bones, teeth, and muscles.
•         Himalayan salt baths and soaks are used for relaxing tired muscles.
•         Himalayan salt scrubs are used for rejuvenating skin and replenishing it with lost minerals.
•         Himalayan salt is used in treatments for respiratory ailments.
•         Himalayan salt blocks and slabs are used in the kitchen. These slabs can be used as cooking or serving platters. The food served on these platters stays warm or cold for a longer time.
•         Himalayan salt lemon water helps in boosting energy while making up for the lost minerals from the body.

How To Use Epsom Salt?

Some common uses of the Epsom salt are:

•         Use Epsom salt for feet: If you are suffering from the athlete’s foot, soak your feet in warm water mixed with Epsom salt to see good results.
•         If you have splinters on your skin, apply a solution of water and Epsom salt on them to treat them.
•         Soak your fungus-infected toenail in a solution of water and Epsom salt thrice a day to cure it.
•         If you have sprains and bruises on your body, soak yourself in a solution of warm water and Epsom salt for detoxification and relaxation.
•         Use Epsom salt as a laxative to cure constipation.
•         Mix a handful of Epsom salt with olive oil and scrub on your body. This will exfoliate your body making it fresh and soft.
•         Mix Epsom salt with your face cleanser to rid of dead cells.
•         Mix Epsom salt and iodine in boiling water. Apply this on your skin for the removal of blackheads.
•       Dip feet in a warm solution of water and Epsom salts to remove foot odor, soothe achy feet, and soften rough skin.
•         Epsom salt mixed in your hair conditioner works like a volumizer.
•         Mix Epsom salt with bathroom cleaner to get clean and sparkling tiles.
•         Use Epsom salts to prevent slugs.
•         Mix Epsom salt in baby oil and make an effective hand wash.
•         Run your washing machine with a warm solution of Epsom salt and water to clear away any build-ups.
•         Use Epsom salt in your gardening as a fertilizer, insecticide and make your lawn greener.

Bottom Line

Epsom salt and Himalayan salt both have numerous benefits. It is not fit to claim one salt better than the other. It is up to you to choose which salt suits your needs the best.

Salt is a mineral that has more than 14000 uses. This is by far the greatest number of uses any mineral is known to have. It would not be wrong to say that our lives are dependent upon salt. It is essential for the proper functioning of the vital body organs. Our bodies cannot produce salt; it needs to be ingested into our bodies. Since we can choose which type of salt to use, why not go for something that is pure, natural and promises great benefits?

Himalayan Salt:

Today’s markets are full of all sorts of salts, each one promising to be the best. Himalayan salt is known to be the purest salt on Earth as it is hand-extracted from the Khewra salt mines. These salt mines are located in the Himalayan mountain ranges that fall in Punjab, a province of Pakistan.

Introduction To Salt For Preserving Food:

Preservation of food has been a common practice since ancient times. Along with preservation methods like smoking and sun-drying, salt preservation has also been a common practice. People used to preserve foods that would last them through tough times like drought, extreme weather, war, and travel. It would have been very difficult to live in the absence of food preservation methods.

Let us discuss in detail about the salt food preservation method and take a look at some other common preservation methods.

How Does Salt Preservation Work?

Salt food preservation works on a simple process called osmosis. When salt is applied to food in the right quantity,20% salinity, it works in two ways:

• Dries the food: Salt draws out water from food and leaves it dry. Moisture is essential for the growth of all living organisms including bacteria. Bacteria are responsible for the spoiling of food and causing food poisoning.
• Kills microbes: Salt can kill almost all microbes. In the case of high salt toxicity, osmolarity takes place. Water diffuses between the cell membranes to keep a balanced concentration of the solute at both sides of the cell. In a high salt scenario, the microbes rupture due to the difference in pressure between the two sides of the organism. High salt is also lethal for the internal processes of the microbes as it messes up with the DNA and enzymes.

Different Food Preservation Methods:

You must have seen shelves of superstores lined up with foods with the shelf-life that extends longer than naturally possible. These foods are preserved to last longer. There is more than one method of preserving food and each method is suitable for certain types of foods and circumstances like weather conditions, shelf life, etc. 

One thing that is common in all the preservation methods is that they all target at killing existing microbic organisms and inhibiting their growth. Zero bacteria mean no spoiling of food.

Some of the most common food preservation methods are canning, freezing, pickling, smoking, etc. Keep reading to know more about each method.

1. Canning:

Canning is the preservation method that involves heating the food-filled and canned jars to eliminate any chances of food spoilage. During this process, heat kills unwanted microorganisms from the food. A vacuum is then formed as the food cools and jars seal which ensures that these menace-making microorganisms will not spoil the food.

Canning as approved safe by the USDA are of two types:

• Water-bath canning
•  Pressure canning

2. Smoking:

Smoking is the food preservation process that involves slow cooking of food along with the application of salt or sugar which inhibits microbial growth. 

• This process works in three ways; dehydrates the food which ensures there is no moisture to encourage any bacterial growth, application of sugar or salt works as a preservative, and heat kills all the existing bacteria. To top this all up, smoking gives a distinct flavor to the food which makes it all the tastier. There are two types of smoking processes:
• Cold smoking: this is a long and thorough process and ensures that the food stays unspoiled for weeks. The food is dipped in the brine solution, dried, rubbed with olive oil and then smoked for 6 hours in a cold smoking situation (40-50) degrees Celsius.

Hot smoking: this involves cooking the food in a heated area (65-90) degrees Celsius.

3. Freezing:

Freezing food preservation is a method that involves preparing, packing and freezing the food when it is at the peak of its freshness. The key to the proper freezing technique is to make sure that the food is fresh, freeze it as quickly as possible and keep it frozen at the lowest temperature(0 degrees).

It is very necessary to take care of the proper packaging of the food when freezing. Use freezer bags and containers in order to avoid any deterioration in the taste. Food loses its flavor when it comes in direct contact with the air inside the freezer. Although this does not make the food harmful, it loses its flavor. You can follow these steps to avoid freezer burning of your food:

• Wrap your food tightly so that it does not get exposed to the freezer air.
• Avoid fluctuation of temperature. Do not keep the freezer door open for too long.
• Enable proper air circulation inside the freezer by filling it wisely. Overfilling obstructs air circulation.

4. Pickling.

This process involves soaking the food in salt or vinegar or both to make it last for several weeks. This method was first used to take food on long journeys like sea travel.

Nowadays, people pickle foods because of their liking for the taste that is produced. If the food is moist enough, only rubbing salt on it will produce a brine solution. Unlike the process of canning, pickling does not require sterilizing of the food. The acidity or salinity produced because of salt and vinegar is sufficient to inhibit the growth of bacteria. 

Some common examples of pickled foods are sauerkraut, kimchi, gherkins, and salsa. Fruits are also pickled in high-sugar or flavored solutions like cinnamon, dill seed or mustard.

5. Sugaring Preservation:

Preservation by sugar is a very old method of preserving food. It works on the same principle of osmosis which inhibits the survival and growth of microorganisms by drawing the water out of its membranes. There are different ways of using sugar or food preservation.

• Fruits are desiccated by drying and then packing them with sugar.
• Fruits are cooked at high heat in sugar.
• Fruits are cooked to removes excess water and then cooked in sugar.
• Fruits are cooked in a solution of alcohol and sugar.
• Sugar is used with salt for the preservation of foods.

6. Drying:

Drying of the food for preservation involves heating the food at a temperature that is high enough to dry out the moisture but low enough not to cook the food. Drying or dehydrating the food retains all the nutrients while substantially reducing its weight. 

An electric dehydrator is an excellent equipment for drying the foods. It comes with a thermostat and a built-in fan to assist even the circulation of air. If you do not have a dehydrator, you can dry food under the sun but this is a long process and does not promise excellent results.

Dry Salting Of Food:

This method of drying food is basically a fermentation process in which thin strips of meat or vegetables are covered with dry salt to draw out water. The strips are then pounded to further break the cell walls and release juices that would submerge the food strips in the resulted brine.

Sauerkraut is an example of dry salting. Cabbage is cut into thin strips, salted, pounded and then tightly packed enabling juices to release and produce a brine solution.

Dry salting fish and salting meat often called curing is a common practice. Thin strips of meat and fish are dry salted and then sometimes smoked to give it an extraordinary flavor. This method often involves the addition of nitrites and nitrates which helps in the curing of meat. Curing lets the meat stay safe for use for a long time and induces flavor in it.

Advantages Of Food Preservation:

Some advantages of salting food preservation are:

• It is an effective and inexpensive way of keeping food unspoiled for a longer period.
• It does not require refrigeration of the food.
• Salting does not destroy the nutrients present in the food.
• Preserves food that can be used in tough times like extreme weather, wars, long journey, drought, etc.
• Gives food a salty flavor which gives it another flavorful dimension.

Last word:

Using salt for the preservation of food dates back to ancient times. This establishes the utmost importance of salt in our lives. Since salt is beneficial for human health, it is wise to use the salt which is purest and contains a good number of beneficial minerals.

Pink natural salt is the only salt that fulfills all of the above-mentioned requirements of healthy salt. Health benefits of Himalayan salt make it appropriate for food preservation.

Salt is undoubtedly one ingredient in our kitchens we cannot do without. Salt can be used in a number of ways. It can be added to food for flavor, it can be used for preserving food, and, it can also be used as a cleaning agent.

Imagine your life without salt. Will you be able to enjoy all the flavors of delicious-looking food without salt? No. salt doesn’t just add flavor to your food, it enhances other flavors too.

Have you ever walked down the aisle in the supermarket housing salts? There is such a wide variety available. Each salt claims to be the best. Some bestsellers boast of being the purest of all.

Unfortunately, we live in an era where false claims are not considered wrong or unethical in the field of marketing. This costs consumers big losses in terms of health and money. Keeping aside all the claims from various salt producers, let us delve into details of different salts and know the truth for ourselves.

How Many Types Of Salt Are There?

If you take your health seriously, you might have considered switching to healthier alternatives regarding food. Salt is one element that has always left everyone confused. There are reports that label salt as a health hazard and others that call it an essential life element.

Simply put, salt is an element with the chemical composition of sodium (Na) and chloride (Cl).  Unfortunately, things are not as simple as they seem. Salts are not just a combination of sodium and chloride. There are a number of other elements present in salts; which depends upon the type of salt, the place it comes from and the way it is extracted.

Basically, there are two main types of salts. Sea salt and Himalayan pink salt. Table salt or sea salt has been an important part of the life of a common man over the past many years. It is only because of the recent studies that have brought out the health hazards of table salt, people have restricted their daily life salt consumption.

Himalayan salt, on the other hand, is many, many years old. It is hand-extracted from the Khewra mines or Himalayan salt mines in the Himalayan ranges. Recent studies have shown Himalayan Pink salt to be one of the purest salts on earth with a number of health benefits associated with it.

Difference Between Himalayan Salt And Sea Salt:

1. Extraction:

Sea salt is extracted by collecting seawater and then evaporating it. The residue left behind is called sea salt.

Himalayan salt is hand-extracted with proper techniques that are being used for hundreds of years.

2. Physical appearance:

Sea salt is white beauty. It is coarse in texture as compared to refined table salt but good enough to blend uniformly in foods to enhance the flavors.

Himalayan pink salt comes in colors ranging from pinks to subtle hues of orange. It comes in huge blocks and chunks which are then cut and ground as desired. Since Himalayan salt is not refined or processed, the salt crystals are coarse. It also has a dull appearance which is a result of numerous trace minerals present in it.

3. Composition:

Sea salt is acquired by evaporating the seawater. Sometimes the seawater may contain different elements other than the salt only. One good example is the different types of algae.The extraction methods used for Sea salt are yet another concern as the salt gets more polluted in the process.

The seawater is constantly being polluted. When this water is evaporated the residue consists of salt with all the impurities of the sea water.

Himalayan Pink salt is known to be the purest salt. It reaches its consumers as natural as it occurs. Apart from sodium chloride Himalayan salt boasts of carrying 84 trace mineral which is very beneficial for human health. All these Himalayan salt minerals are the reason behind the beautiful colors of this salt. Himalayan salt iodine, magnesium, potassium, and calcium content increases Himalayan salt nutrition value.

4. Mineral content:

The table below shows a comparison between minerals contained in the two salts.

5. Uses:

1. Himalayan salt can be used in a number of beneficial ways:
2. It can be placed around the house as decoration pieces in the form of salt lamps and candlelight holders.
3. It can be used for the treatment of a number of respiratory ailments like asthma.
4. It can be used in spas as salt baths and soaks
5. It can be used in the kitchen as a food additive, serving platter and even as a cooking slab. Cooking with pink Himalayan salt can make food more nutritious.
6. Himalayan salt sole is very beneficial for health when taken orally.
7. Himalayan salt is used in salt scrubs for a glowing and healthy face.
8. Sea salt uses:
9. Sea salt is used for maintaining oral health. It contains fluoride which is very good for teeth health. It helps in keeping damaging acids at bay and controls the forming of dental cavities.
10. Sea salt foot soak is excellent for relaxing tired feet.
11. Sea salt is used for treating hair loss.
12. Most of sea salt benefits for skin are due to the high magnesium content which makes it excellent for the skin. Sea minerals benefits the skin in so many ways such as help in preventing premature aging, treating eczema, reducing dark circle and cleansing of the skin.

6. Himalayan salt vs sea salt taste:

Considering there is a difference in the source and mineral content of the two salts, they may differ a little in taste.Sea salt may contain additive flavors because of the presence of impurities like algae and microplastics.

Himalayan salt has a slight slashed quantity of sodium chloride as it contains other trace minerals. This may lead to dullness in its saltiness.Both the salts if unprocessed, do not contain iodine naturally. Iodine is added in processed salts.

Benefits Of Himalayan Salt And Sea Salt:

Himalayan pink salt benefits are as follows:

1. Creates an electrolyte balance
2. Increases hydration
3. Regulate water content both inside and outside of cells
4. Balances pH) and helps to reduce acid reflux
5. Prevents muscle cramping due to magnesium and potassium present in it.
6. Aids metabolism functioning
7. Strengthens bones
8. Lowers blood pressure
9. Helps in the absorption of nutrients
10. Prevents goiters
11. Aids blood circulation
12. Helps in removing toxins
13. Himalayan salt benefits for face include cleansing, exfoliation, hydration, and pH balance of the skin.
14. Helps in weight loss

Benefits of Sea Salt:

1.   Keeps you hydrated
2.   Reduces fluid retention
3.   Prevents muscle cramps
4.   Balances electrolytes
5.   Good for skin health
6.   Nourishes adrenal glands
7.   Boosts metabolism and digestion
8.   Regulates blood pressure
9.   Treats psoriasis

Limit Your Salt Intake:

Studies are supporting the fact that too much salt consumption may be harmful to human health. It raises the risk for many heart and blood-related diseases. This is the main reason so much stress is being put on cutting down salt consumption.

Fortunately, bad news of these sorts is restricted to people consuming table salt. Due to processing and refining, table salt loses many of its naturally occurring elements. These elements curtail health risks and work with the sodium of the salt to make it beneficial. Their absence makes salt useless and harmful. The additives in the table salt like anticaking and bleaching agents pose health risks too.

Although the sea salt comes with its own pack full of benefits, the constant polluting of the seawater raises many questions regarding the consumable safety index of it.

Himalayan salt, on the other hand, comes with a myriad of health benefits. Since it reaches its consumers unrefined, it has a number of useful trace minerals present in it. These trace minerals play an important role in the functioning of the human body. Also, the presence of these trace minerals complement the role of sodium inside the body and turn it into a beneficial element.

Salt is an important part of the food, so knowing its benefits will help us make the most use out of it so, that we can reap all its advantages. Nature has bestowed us with Himalayan Salt in the mountain ranges of Pakistan and we must know what is Himalayan salt good for?

From its high nutritive value to having décor and self-care uses to therapeutic benefits, there is a wide range of advantages Himalayan pink salt possesses. In this article, we will discuss the benefits of Himalayan salt in detail and the idea that whether Himalayan pink salt is better for you or not.

Himalayan pink salt benefits can be categorized into the following groups.

•         Nutritive benefits
•         Health benefits
•         Himalayan salt benefits for face
•         Therapeutic uses
•         Home use
•         Self-care benefits

Nutritive Benefits:

Just like table salt, Himalayan salt consists of sodium (Na) and chloride (Cl). It’s called a miraculous salt because it is a combination of other minerals and elements due to which it is beneficial in so many different ways. Elements present in a certain kind of salt are determined by its type, the site it is extracted from and the method employed to extract it.

This versatile salt handpicked from the Himalayan mountain ranges consists of 84 different minerals and trace elements, thus it is reasonable to say that Himalayan salt nutrition level is high. These include macro-minerals like calcium (Ca), selenium, potassium (K), etc. and trace minerals like iron and zinc. These are the minerals that give this salt its beautiful hue of pink and orange.

In addition, it also has elements like Hydrogen and Oxygen that make it remarkable when compared to the table salt. One major component table salt is known for is Iodine. Now a question arises that does pink salt also have Iodine like table salt? Iodine plays an important role in the proper functioning of the thyroid gland and Himalayan salt contains 0.1g of Iodine per kg.

Health Benefits:

Have you ever heard your elders advising not to consume too much salt? People generally believe that consumption of salt is detrimental to health and you should cut down your salt intake. The point to ponder then, would be that is Himalayan pink salt healthy?

The advice of less salt intake can be true for table salt which loses its natural contents due to the extraction process and the chemical treatment it undergoes. This is because in table salt sodium (Na) is retained which causes unfavorable effects on health, while the other minerals like potassium, magnesium, etc. which negate the bad effects of sodium are lost. Himalayan salt, on the other hand, has higher levels of potassium as compared to sodium. One can therefore question, does Himalayan salt lower blood pressure?

The answer to this is in affirmation. Potassium in the pink salt helps maintain pH levels in the body, reduces the risk of heart disease and actually helps in lowering the blood pressure.

There are also numerous health benefits of drinking pink Himalayan salt. Salt Sole, (pronunciation: so-lay) a dilute solution of the salt in water, if taken once a day in the morning is good to fulfill your mineral requirement and hydrate the body. It also supports weight loss by reducing cravings and hunger for snacks. There are a number of other health benefits of Himalayan salt including achieving hormonal balance, increasing metabolic rate, and proper thyroid and adrenal functioning.

 Himalayan Salt Benefits For Face:

Do you want skin which is fresh-looking and smooth? Do you head towards high-charging salons for this? By having Himalayan salt, you need not be heavy on your pockets anymore. Here’s how to use Himalayan salt on your face to avail its benefits

• A warm bath with Himalayan salt added in water or a facial rinse with this remedy can detoxify your skin to help you feel rejuvenated.
• Himalayan salt Hydrating Toner can be used for glowing and moisturized skin. It can be sprayed on the face after cleansing.
• Himalayan salt mixed with Aloe Vera gel applied regularly to a clean face will show marked reduction in acne and spots.
• Himalayan salt scrub, if used once or twice a week will exfoliate dead cells from your skin and make your face revitalized.

Therapeutic Uses:

Himalayan pink salt from Khewra mines in Pakistan has also paved the way into therapeutics. Various therapeutic uses are listed below.

• Salt inhalers – small inhalers or inhaler pots can be filled with pink salt and hot water. If inhaled for 10-15 minutes several times a day can be beneficial for alleviating seasonal flu or chest congestion.
• Salt salinizer – it is a small portable device that is used as an air purifier. It has therapeutic benefits for patients with chronic respiratory ailments.
• Himalayan Salt Lamps – made up of pure Himalayan salt, these remarkable salt lamps are really beneficial in removing the pollutants from the environment.
• Neti Poti – Nasal irrigation can be done with Neti Poti which involves the use of a wide syringe to drain salt water from one nostril to the other clearing the sinuses. This is also very useful for children who cannot rinse off their nose on their own.

Home Décor With Himalayan Salt:

The salt lamp is emerging as a new trend these days. It is a big chunk of beautifully carved Himalayan salt with a bulb in the center. This trending lamp provides soft light and is a new home décor item in demand. It can be placed in your living room, bedroom, kitchen, particularly anywhere in the house. They are said to release energy and positive vibes in the environment.

Self-care Benefits:

The magnanimous Himalayan salt is one of nature’s bounties that can also be used for self-care. This can be achieved through warm salt baths, warm salt spa, aromatherapy, exfoliation for feet detoxification, etc.

Hence, it is evident that the Himalayan salt has far better nutritional value and is far more beneficial than the table salt and should definitely be preferred over the ordinary refined salt.