Is Himalayan Salt REALLY Better? The Truth Will Shock You!

Is Himalayan Salt REALLY Better? The Truth Will Shock You!

Walk into any upscale grocery store, and you’ll likely spot it—elegantly packaged, glowing pink, and often double or triple the price of regular table salt. Himalayan salt has gained almost a cult-like following, with claims ranging from detoxifying the body to improving respiratory function and even balancing the body’s pH levels. But is there real science behind the hype, or is Himalayan salt just another wellness trend sprinkled with exaggeration?

Let’s break down the truth behind the pink salt craze—and what you discover may surprise you.

What Is Himalayan Salt, Really?

Himalayan salt is a type of rock salt mined from the Khewra Salt Mine in Pakistan, located near the Himalayan mountains. It’s often referred to as “pink salt” due to its striking hue, which comes from trace minerals like iron oxide (rust).

Unlike regular table salt, which is heavily processed and often contains anti-caking agents and added iodine, Himalayan salt is marketed as a “raw,” more natural alternative. This has helped it earn a reputation as the healthier, purer, and more “holistic” salt option—but that reputation might be based more on marketing than on facts.

The Mineral Content: Is More Always Better?

One of the biggest selling points of Himalayan salt is its mineral content. Marketers love to boast that it contains over 80 trace minerals, including calcium, potassium, magnesium, and iron. And while that’s technically true, what they don’t often mention is how small those amounts actually are.

Here’s a reality check: You’d need to eat pounds of Himalayan salt just to get a significant amount of these minerals. That would be extremely unhealthy—and possibly deadly—because, at the end of the day, it’s still sodium chloride, just like regular salt.

In fact, around 98% of Himalayan salt is sodium chloride, almost identical to what’s in your basic table salt. The remaining 2% is where those trace minerals hide, but their nutritional impact is practically negligible.

So yes, Himalayan salt has more minerals—but not enough to make any real difference in your health.

Does It Taste Better?

Some people claim Himalayan salt has a “smoother” or “less harsh” taste than table salt. While this can be subjective, chefs and foodies may notice a slightly different flavor or texture due to the mineral mix and crystal size.

However, when dissolved into food or cooking, the difference is almost impossible to detect for most people. So if you're paying triple the price for flavor alone, you might be better off buying a good-quality sea salt or kosher salt instead.

The Health Claims—Myth vs. Reality

Let’s dive into the most popular health claims associated with Himalayan salt—and whether they hold up under scientific scrutiny.

1. Claim: It Detoxifies the Body

Truth: This is one of the most popular but misleading claims. Your body already has built-in detox systems—your liver, kidneys, and skin. There is no scientific evidence that eating Himalayan salt or bathing in it “detoxifies” your body.

A relaxing bath with Himalayan salt may feel nice, and the minerals might help soothe the skin temporarily, but calling it a detox? That’s a stretch.

2. Claim: It Balances Your Body’s pH

Truth: Supporters say Himalayan salt helps “alkalize” the body. But here’s the deal: Your blood pH is tightly regulated by your body, and you can’t change it significantly through the type of salt you eat. Any large fluctuations in blood pH are dangerous—and your body works hard to avoid them.

So, while the idea of “balancing pH” sounds scientific, it doesn’t apply the way marketers suggest. Himalayan salt won’t suddenly make your body less acidic or more alkaline.

3. Claim: It Improves Hydration

Truth: Electrolytes like sodium, potassium, and magnesium do play a role in hydration, and Himalayan salt contains some of them. But again, the quantities are so tiny that they don't have a major impact. A sports drink or proper electrolyte solution will be far more effective at rehydrating the body.

Drinking “sole water” (water saturated with Himalayan salt) is another popular trend, but there's little scientific backing for it. In fact, too much salt can dehydrate you, not the other way around.

4. Claim: It Boosts Respiratory Health

Truth: Himalayan salt lamps and salt inhalers have gained popularity with the promise of easing breathing, reducing allergies, and even fighting asthma.

While salt therapy (halotherapy) is a legitimate practice in some medical settings—especially for people with respiratory conditions like cystic fibrosis—the effectiveness of Himalayan salt lamps or at-home inhalers is still highly debated.

Breathing in tiny salt particles in a controlled environment may have some benefit, but the evidence isn’t strong enough to say it's a miracle treatment—and simply owning a salt lamp won’t do much at all.

What About Iodine?

One thing Himalayan salt lacks? Iodine. And that can be a problem.

Since the 1920s, table salt has been fortified with iodine to prevent goiter and other iodine deficiency disorders, which were once common in many parts of the world. Iodine is crucial for thyroid function, especially for pregnant women and children.

Himalayan salt contains only trace amounts of iodine—again, not enough to meet daily requirements. So if you're ditching iodized salt for the pink stuff, make sure you're getting iodine from other sources like dairy, eggs, seafood, or supplements.

Environmental and Ethical Concerns

It’s also worth looking beyond health and into the environmental impact. While Himalayan salt is often seen as “natural” and “earth-friendly,” the reality is a bit more complicated.

• The mining process is labor-intensive, and there are concerns about worker conditions in some salt mines.

• Transportation from Pakistan to global markets adds to the carbon footprint.

• Packaging often uses plastic or trendy materials that are not always sustainable.

Compared to locally sourced sea salt or solar-evaporated salt, Himalayan salt may not be as eco-friendly as it seems.

The Verdict: Is It Really Better?

Let’s boil it down (pun intended):

• Himalayan salt is beautiful and natural, and it can be a nice addition to your kitchen or spa routine.

• It contains trace minerals that offer some aesthetic and textural differences.

• But nutritionally and medically? It’s not significantly better than regular salt.

• It won’t detox you, won’t alkalize your body, and won’t improve your health in any dramatic way.

• And it may actually fall short when it comes to iodine, an essential nutrient.

So, is Himalayan salt bad? Not at all. But is it better than other types of salt in any meaningful way?

Not really.

Final Thoughts: Use It If You Love It, But Don’t Be Fooled

If you love the look of Himalayan salt, the soft pink glow of the lamp in your room, or the subtle crunch of the crystals on your steak—go for it. Enjoy it as a luxury product, a sensory indulgence, or even just kitchen eye candy.

But don’t buy into the idea that it's a miracle salt. The health halo surrounding it is largely the result of smart marketing and wellness trends.

Whether you prefer pink salt, sea salt, kosher salt, or good old iodized table salt, the most important thing is moderation. Too much sodium of any kind can lead to high blood pressure, heart problems, and other health risks.

So sprinkle wisely, and remember: when it comes to health, there are no magical minerals—just smart choices.