By Aseel Abdin – Accredited Practising Dietitian

Are “natural” salts healthier than table salt? 

There are many different types of salt on the market; have you ever wondered what the difference is between them? This blog compares sea salt and table salt. 

Salt is naturally occurring in many foods such as meats, vegetables, and fruit, but is present in very small quantities in these wholefoods. It is often added to processed foods such as canned foods, pickled foods, and packaged snacks or other convenience foods, where it functions as a preservative and a flavour enhancer.  

Table salt VS sea salt – the difference: 

The main differences between sea salt and table salt are in their taste, texture, and processing. 

Sea salt is obtained directly through the evaporation of sea water. It is usually not processed (or undergoes minimal processing), and therefore retains trace amounts of certain minerals such as magnesium, potassium, calcium, and other nutrients. 

Table salt, on the other hand, is mined from salt deposits and then processed to give it a fine texture so it is easier to mix and use in recipes. This processing strips table salt of any minerals, and additives may be used to prevent clumping. 

Is there a health advantage to sea salt? 

Although sea salt is often promoted as being healthier, sea salt and table salt have the same basic nutritional value. The small amounts of trace minerals found in sea salt are easily obtained from other whole foods, in other words, the amount of minerals contained in sea salts are negligible compared to the daily recommended intake of these minerals. 

Sea salt also generally contains less Iodine (which is needed to produce the thyroid hormone) than table salt (which usually has added Iodine). 

Which one has more sodium?  

Table salt and most sea salts all contain about the same amount of sodium.  

Bottom line:
Sea salt has no real health advantage over table salt, so you can let your taste buds choose! But if you want our recommendation then it is best to avoid added salt all together!