Celtic sea salt is a natural salt that is harvested from the pristine coastal regions of France.
Unlike processed table salt, Celtic sea salt retains a wealth of minerals and trace elements that are essential for optimal health.
In recent years, this ancient salt has gained popularity among health-conscious individuals due to its numerous health benefits. From improving digestion to boosting immune function, the potential benefits of Celtic sea salt are impressive.
In this article, I’ll explore what Celtic sea salt is, how it differs from other types of salt, and the various ways it can benefit your health.
In this article I will discuss:
What is salt?
Salt is a group of chemical compounds which consists of positive ions (called cations) and negative ions (called anions).
Salt is formed when an acid reacts with a base (an alkaline chemical compound).
This reaction is called a neutralization reaction because the acid and base neutralize each other when reacting.
Alkali salts are salts that produce hydroxide ions when dissolved in water.
Acis salts produce hydrogen ions when dissolved in water.
Neutral salts are those salts that are neutral.
It’s interesting to note that although these compounds are all called salts, they don’t all elicit the sensory salt taste. In fact, in the group of salts, all 5 basic tastes are triggered collectively.
It’s just because of table salt that we use in cooking, that we associate the word “salt” with that salty taste.
What is table salt?
Table salt is a term used for common salt used in cooking and on food and is a chemical compound consisting of sodium cations and chloride anions (hence the name sodium chloride).
Table salt, or just salt in short, has been used for centuries for all things cooking.
Historically it has also been used extensively in the preservation of foods, especially fish and red meat.
Most table salts are iodized, meaning iodine is added into the salt.
That is being done to help prevent iodine deficiency.
What is sea salt?
Sea salt is the crystalline compound left behind when seawater evaporates.
Seawater contains huge amounts of dissolved minerals and salts.
When water evaporates, it’s only the water (H2O) part of the liquid that evaporates.
Everything else, including dissolved compounds like salts, remains behind in crystalized form.
Sea salt has become increasingly popular in recent years, and for good reason.
Unlike table salt, which is mined from salt deposits and heavily processed, sea salt is harvested directly from evaporated seawater.
This means that it retains many of the natural minerals and elements that are often lost during the refining process of table salt.
One of the main advantages of sea salt is that it is richer in minerals such as potassium, magnesium, and calcium.
These minerals are essential for maintaining healthy bodily functions, including nerve and muscle function, as well as maintaining proper fluid balance.
Table salt, on the other hand, is often stripped of these minerals during processing, leaving it with only sodium chloride.
Another benefit of sea salt is that it typically contains lower levels of additives and preservatives.
Table salt is often treated with anti-caking agents to prevent clumping, as well as iodine to prevent iodine deficiency.
While iodine is important for thyroid health, excessive iodine intake can be harmful. Sea salt, on the other hand, contains some natural iodine, but not enough to cause health concerns.
Sea salt also tends to have a coarser texture and stronger flavor than table salt, which can add depth and complexity to dishes.
It can be used as a finishing salt, adding a crunchy texture and burst of flavor to dishes like salads and roasted vegetables.
Overall, sea salt is a healthier and more flavorful option than table salt.
While it is important to consume all types of salt in moderation, opting for sea salt can help provide your body with essential minerals and enhance the taste of your food.
What is Celtic sea salt?
Celtic sea salt, also known as Sel gris (which is French for “grey salt”) is sea salt that is harvested from estuaries in France, including the coasts of Normandy and the Guérande region.
During the harvesting process, the native clay in the silt ponds and salt pans gives the salt a greyish color, hence the name grey salt.
It’s not only the color that comes from the clay, but also a heap of minerals. These include calcium, magnesium, potassium, iron, zinc and manganese.
This premium sea salt is also harvested the same way it has been for centuries, even with wooden rakes being used.
One of the main differences between Celtic sea salt and normal sea salt, is that Celtic sea salt is harvested with a moisture content of around 15%, compared to 1% in normal sea salt.
When you handle Celtic sea salt you will immediately notice it’s moisture level compared to normal salt. That is also why they mostly come in resealable waterproof bags.
The other main difference is the mineral content.
Celtic se salt has a similar content of sodium compared to traditional sea salt, but it has a higher number of other minerals.
What are the health benefits of Celtic sea salt?
Celtic sea salt contains a higher number of different minerals than other salts used for cooking, followed by Himalayan salt.
Celtic sea salt contains more than 80 different kinds of minerals, whereas Himalayan salt in second place, contain more than 70.
Our bodies need salt, and it needs minerals.
There are a heap of debates going on about the health effects of salt and its influence on especially blood pressure.
But the fact of the matter is that our bodies need salt to function properly, albeit in moderate quantities.
But minerals are also a very important component of diets being overlooked.
So, if you are cooking, I highly recommend using Celtic sea salt.
It has the benefit of similar sodium levels compared to other salts but has a much higher number of other essential minerals.
Happy cooking!