Although sea salt itself is often sold as healthier or natural, it’s still just regular table salt. Both coarse sea salt and fine sea salt are manufactured from the sea. Both kinds of sea salt have their benefits and disadvantages. They both can be used for cooking and baking. But they are not entirely identical.
“coarse sea salt” refers to the bulk variety that you buy in stores. This salt has gone through a process called “refining.” Essentially, this process leaves behind some trace amounts of magnesium, iron and sodium. These trace amounts are fine for our bodies, but they’re not beneficial. In fact, they can actually harm our health.
During the refining process, the salt goes through two processes. The first is referred to as “freezing.” In this process, impurities are bound with ice and then reconditioned. Once this process is complete, the salt returns to its salt-water form. In this process, there’s absolutely no trace amounts of minerals left in the seawater, so this sea salt isn’t considered to be “real” sea salt.
Fine sea salts on the other hand undergo a different process. There’s not necessarily a need to return the sodium to its liquid state, because no mineral formation takes place. Instead, tiny rocks coated with salt crystals are pushed into the water. When these tiny rocks are pushed into the water, sodium and iron ions bind with the minerals instead of being attached to them.
Because no mineral content is left behind, the water leaves your body with more sodium and less potassium. These elements, together with the extra water, weigh more than they would if there were trace minerals. However, sodium and potassium are essential for the production of several important hormones and organs. It’s these elements that you want to be getting rid of, because they can contribute to deficiencies in certain people.
So why do people still buy sea salt? It’s primarily for its purported health benefits. Most sea salt contains potassium and sodium chloride. The way that they’re packaged and processed makes it impossible for them to contain more than trace minerals. Because it’s impossible for sea salt and table salt to contain more than trace minerals, they must contain less sodium chloride than would be found in fresh ocean water. That’s what gives sea salt its healthful benefits.
The process of creating sea salt doesn’t strip the minerals out of the salt; rather, the minerals are suspended until a process called “evaporating seawater saltification” occurs. Sea salt which has been processed is then de-mineralized. It no longer has the value of naturally occurring minerals. Evaporating seawater ratification artificially creates sea salt that has lost all of its minerals except sodium chloride, making it artificial, and sometimes de-valueably, too.
Artificial sea salt has become very popular, particularly in restaurants and catering industries, because of its lack of natural flavor and color. But it’s important to realize that sea salt is not necessarily inferior to table salt. On the contrary, sea salt provides many dietary benefits which can help people maintain their weight loss and health.
For instance, sea salt contains magnesium, zinc, iron, calcium, manganese, selenium and other minerals like copper, sodium, sulphur and zinc which provide numerous essential nutrients for the human body. In addition, the salt contains high-quality calcium, which is essential for strong bones and teeth. Calcium can also help increase blood vessel strength and flow, which provides strong cardiovascular health. Some sea salts actually contain different types of antioxidants like vitamin C, which help prevent cancer, and beta carotene, which promote healthy skin.
There are many other benefits of using sea salt. Many people believe that sea salt enhances the flavor of certain foods and baking, but the truth is that it doesn’t. Sea salt has no discernible taste and is usually added to enhance the flavor of certain foods, especially sea foods like fish, nuts, cheeses and sweets. The fact that it provides an array of vitamins, minerals and nutrients makes it a favorite ingredient in savory snacks, cakes and cookies.
Baking with sea salt is a great idea, since this type of salt does not contain any additives, colors or preservatives. It is a healthier alternative for those who prefer natural flavor in their food. However, buying kosher table salt is not easy. Kosher table salts are available only at certain stores, and even then you may be lucky enough to find a bit. Unfortunately, there are no national laws regulating kosher salt, so it is not always safe to buy your groceries that contain this salty product.
One option you have to overcome the problem of buying kosher sea salt is to buy certified kosher salt online. This salt is produced according to strict guidelines by the Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations and is guaranteed not to add any flavor or color and to retain its original quality. In addition to its purity, this kosher salt is also tested for levels of iodine, sodium, potassium and calcium before it is packed. Because it is so difficult to find kosher sea salt, shopping online may be your best option.
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