What is the Difference Between Refined and Unrefined Salt?
Written by Kelley Curl (kelleycurl7@gmail.com)
Most of the salt found in kitchens, restaurants, and the type used in processed foods is refined salt. Chemically-speaking, this sodium chloride. Sodium and chloride are two important minerals needed by the human body. However, in unrefined salt (before processing) has more than 80 different minerals, and all of these are also important for human health. Individuals who consume a large amount of processed or fast foods are ingesting way more sodium than is healthy for the body, while missing our on the valuable minerals not found in refined salt.
Salt is obtained from salt mines (ancient dried ocean beds) or evaporated ocean water. If nothing else is done besides packaging, this is unrefined or unprocessed salt. It will contain approximately 84 percent sodium chloride and 16 percent other minerals, such as sulfur, magnesium, potassium, silicon, zinc, and phosphorous. There is only a very small percentage of salt sold like this as compared to refined salt.
The vast majority of salt is chemically-cleaned and leaves the product as having 97 percent sodium chloride with 3 percent man-made chemicals which are added to absorb moisture and to ensure an even flow. Iodine is sometimes also added, since it is lost during evaporation.
The traditional hand-harvested, unrefined sea salt sold by Mate Factor offers the best on the market. This salt contains 84 minerals and other elements that exist in the water of the sea necessary to sustain life.
Now, when it comes to enjoying salt with my food, I prefer to purchase unrefined salt from Mate Factor. (more about this salt in how it’s processed in a future article.)
https://matefactor.com/all-departments/gear-and-foods/natural-sugar-and-salt/sal-do-mar-natural-unrefined-sea-salt-1lb-bag/
DISCLAIMER: I am not a medical professional. As with anything to do with one’s health or diet, please consult one’s healthcare provider.
Article author
About the Author
Kelley Curl 7 is the author of the book, "My Curly Hair Self: Living with a Visual Processing Disorderr
The book is her true story about dealing with a rarely diagnosed disorder, "photophobia." Her book can be purchased at Amazon.com.
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