Black salt, also known as kala namak or Himalayan black salt, is found in India. It comes from the salt mines of India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, and other Himalayan locations. Black salt was first used in Ayurvedic medicine for its holistic, therapeutic properties. It is filled with minerals that are insoluble, making them harder to be absorbed by the body.
Now, black salt is commonly used in cooking and is a popular ingredient in Indian recipes. It has volcanic origins and is made up of sulphur compounds which contribute to its smell and taste. It is also made up of iron and potassium chloride.
Health Benefits
Black salt has antioxidant properties and has surprisingly low sodium levels. It also contains important minerals like iron, calcium, and magnesium, which are essential to healthy bodies.
Other added benefits of black salt include:
Reduces Heartburn and Bloating
Black salt stimulates bile production in the liver, and helps control heartburn and bloating. It restricts acid levels and reduces reflux. A pinch of salt can reduce the formation of gases and limit bloating and flatulence.
If you have digestive issues, black salt is a good remedy to help your liver make bile and improve the body’s fat-soluble vitamin absorption in the small intestine.
Heart Health
Black salt contains an Ama, or toxic remains of improperly digested food in the stomach, reducing property. This component helps reduce cholesterol.
It also regulates blood pressure by acting as a natural blood thinner. Doctors recommend no more than 6 grams per day, as taking more than this can raise your blood pressure. If you have high blood pressure, do not take more than 3.75 grams per day.
Decreases Diabetes Complications
Black salt aids in the slight reduction of blood glucose levels. Small amounts of black salt will also reduce elevated blood pressure.
Eases Muscle Spasms
There are significant amounts of potassium in black salt, which is essential for your muscles to work properly and helps ease muscle spasms.
Health Risks
Black salt has many health benefits, but like many other ingredients, when taken in large doses it can have harmful consequences. Because black salt contains fluoride and other chemicals, it can impact bodily functions.
Regularly consuming black salt can create kidney stones in your body, which can become painful and obstruct your urine function.
Black salt is not iodized, and iodine plays an important role in proper thyroid function. Do not substitute iodized salt for black salt. If you do, you will need to find other sources of iodine in your diet.
Oral Problems
Black salt contains fluoride and too much can cause dental fluorosis. You should limit your children’s consumption, so it doesn’t affect their dental development.
Amounts and Dosage
Even though black salt has less sodium than normal table salt, it should still be consumed in moderation. Black salt does not have iodine in it like table salt, so you will still need to find sources of iodine for your diet.
Black salt should be used in addition to other iodized salts, as added flavor to specific recipes. If you are taking black salt as a remedy for digestion or to remove toxins from your body in the morning, you should use small, balanced quantities to maintain healthy levels in your body.
