Salt: Unveiling 22 Surprising Benefits for Skin, Hair & Overall Health

Salt, also known as table salt or rock salt, is a natural mineral made up of white cube shaped crystals composed of sodium and chlorine. It is basically a chemical compound – sodium chloride having the chemical formula NaCl, consisting 40 percent sodium and 60 percent chlorine. It is naturally found in sea water and accounts for about 3.5 percent of the world’s oceans.

When an area of sea water is enclosed, the water evaporates leaving behind large crystals of salt. Originally, it is translucent, odorless and colorless, having a distinct and characteristic taste. But the presence of impurities and minerals imparts different colors to it such as white, oink, grey, red, brown and black.

Properties of Pure Sodium Chloride:Molecular weight – NaCl58.4428Atomic weight – Na22.989768 (39.337%)Atomic weight – Cl35.4527 (60.663%)Eutectic composition23.31% NaClFreezing point of eutectic mixture-21.12° C (-6.016°F)Crystal formIsometric, CubicColorClear to WhiteIndex of refraction1.5442Density or specific gravity2.165 (135 lb/ft3)Bulk density, approximate (dry, ASTM D 632 gradation)1.154 (72 lb/ft3)Angle of repose (dry, ASTM D 632 gradation)32°Melting point800.8° C (1,473.4° F)Boiling point1,465°C (2,669° F)Hardness (Moh’s Scale)2.5Critical humidity at 20 °C, (68° F)75.3%pH of aqueous solutionneutral

Salt is obtained by two main methods, evaporation from sea water and mining salt from the earth. Table salt and salts used for industrial purposes are obtained through mining whereas gourmet salts are obtained by evaporation of sea water. The salt that we use for home consumption is generally table salt (refined salt), sea salt (unrefined salt) and iodized salt. It is one of the oldest food seasonings as well as an important method of food preservation. It is also used for other culinary purposes such as tanning, dyeing, bleaching, pottery glazing, soap making and the early manufacture of chlorine. Today it is commonly used in the chemical industry for water softening.

Types of Salt:

There are many varieties of salt, each having different types of crystals and uses. The size of their crystals and color varies depending upon the presence of different minerals. Some of the common varieties of salt are as follows.

• Iodized Salt: This is basically table salt having additives like iodine and is considered beneficial for thyroid patients. Since it is a table salt, it has fine granules and is mostly used for home consumption. It is also used as an anti-caking agent to prevent lumping.

• Kosher Salt: This is an additive free coarse grained salt made by compacting granular salt. It is often preferred for cooking as it has a softer flavor than table salt. It is often applied on butchered meat as the large irregularly shaped flakes can draw blood easily. Due to its large surface area, it dissolves easily without over salting and is used as water softener.

• Black Salt: Known as ‘kala namak’ or ‘sanchal’, it is a tanned salt having a strong sulfuric flavor due to the addition of purified lava. In India, it is available in ground form as well as lumps and is largely used as pickling salt.

• Sel Gris: This is a grey salt native to France. A by product called fleur de sel is formed when sel gris is allowed to bloom into flowerlike crystals in evaporation basins.

• Maldon sea salt: It is a British finishing salt which is similar to fleur de sel and is obtained by boiling sea water. It comprises of delicate pyramidal crystals and has a light delicate flavor.

• Rock Salt: This salt has discrete crystals and is used for deicing. It is often used in ice creams as it brings down the freezing point.

Salt Benefits

The benefits of salt are many. To make this a easier read, they are categorized into health, skin and hair benefits.

Salt Health Benefits:

Salt is needed by the human body as it controls the fluid balance and the working of muscles and nerves. The body automatically regulates the presence of salt and sodium. Feeling excessively thirsty indicates high levels of salt which is eliminated through the kidneys. Sea salt is generally considered more beneficial than its processed counterpart, the table salt. Some of the health benefits of salt are given below.

1. Proper Digestion:

Sea salt aids in the digestive process by stimulating the salivary glands and helping the body create digestive juices. This facilitates quick digestion. Salt also prevents build up in the digestive tract, thus preventing constipation. It facilitates absorption of food particles through the intestinal tract.

2. Beneficial in Respiratory Problems:

Salt can be of great help in case of respiratory problems like asthma, bronchitis and hay fever. It is effective in reducing inflammation in the respiratory system, thus slowing down the production of phlegm to enable you to breathe easier. Taking half a teaspoon of salt in a glass of water can help in clearing up sinus and bronchial congestion.

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