What is the difference between common salt and sea salt?
For some time now, we have been hearing the name of sea salt and that it has healing properties and can even be used to improve blood pressure. After hearing this information, many compatriots have become inclined to use sea salt more in preparing their food with the hope that it will not only help improve their health but also cure many of their diseases, especially blood pressure. But it must be said that sea salt is no different from the salt we use in terms of nutrition, and the only difference is that its crystals are larger and in some foods, it improves its quality. For example, in some breads and sweets, adding this type of salt causes a better consistency and even more crispiness and increases the quality, but it is no different from table salt in terms of nutrition.
Therefore, the same points that we observe about regular salt should also be considered about sea salt, i.e. do not use more than 3 to 4 grams per day, because excessive consumption of this salt will also cause heart diseases and strokes and prolong the life of a person. will lower
Sea salt is unrefined salt and in addition to containing heavy metals, it also contains dangerous substances such as arsenic. Arsenic, a toxic metal, is known to cause cancer
It is interesting to know that studies have shown that having diets that contain a lot of salt greatly increases the likelihood of osteoporosis.
Therefore, the consumption of this type of salt in unusual amounts is not recommended for hypertensives and pregnant women.
Zahra Abasalti, head of the nutrition improvement office of Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, said: “Sea salt has a variety of impurities, including insoluble materials such as sand, sand, soil, chalk and polluting materials, hard soluble materials such as calcium and magnesium, and heavy metals such as lead, mercury, arsenic, and cadmium, and can cause adverse effects in the digestive system. , liver, kidneys and lungs and even lead to poisoning.
She listed the disturbance in the absorption of micronutrients such as iron and zinc among other disadvantages of using sea salt and emphasized: This salt does not contain enough iodine according to the declared standards to prevent goiter and disorders caused by iodine deficiency.
Consumption of sea salt is carcinogenic
Sea salt is unrefined salt that contains various impurities, including heavy metals, and their carcinogenic risk has been proven.
The head of the community nutrition improvement office of the Ministry of Health, Medical Education and Health said: In addition to removing impurities, sea salt has a low amount of iodine or even no iodine, which does not meet the daily need for iodine.
Dr. Zahra Abdullahi added: In the past 20 years, the Ministry of Health has adopted the policy of adding iodine to table salt to reduce the prevalence of goiter and disorders caused by iodine deficiency, and currently all manufacturing factories are required to add iodine to table salt in the amount recommended by the Ministry of Health because Using refined iodized salt is the only way to deliver iodine to the body to carry out vital functions that depend on this micronutrient.
She stated: Not getting enough iodine to the body is associated with countless complications, including goiter, congenital abnormalities, increased cases of abortion and stillbirth, congenital hypothyroidism, congenital deafness and muteness, and decreased intelligence.
sea salt
The head of the community nutrition improvement office emphasized that sea salt cannot provide other minerals such as magnesium and calcium. The amount of calcium and magnesium that sea salt brings to the body is so small that it can be completely ignored, while these salts can be obtained from other food sources.
He stated that the widespread advertising of sea salt in the country is against the policies of the Ministry of Health and said: profit-seeking people who try to promote the consumption of sea salt have not only endangered the health of the country’s people but also They will cause the return of goiter problem, the birth of babies with congenital abnormalities and many harmful health consequences.
Dr. Abdullahi said about standard food salt: Food salt must have health permits from the Ministry of Health, Treatment and Medical Education, and its production and expiration dates are also mandatory, and such refined iodized salts do not contain heavy metals, including lead, arsenic (cancer-causing agents) and soluble impurities such as gypsum. which cannot be separated due to its whiteness.
She advised: The calculated amount of iodine in refined salt will prevent goiter disease and then prevent physical and mental retardation, abortion, while sea salt causes cancer, goiter, mental and physical retardation, abortion.
According to this nutritionist, sea salt can be used for food if it has received a production license and manufacturing license from the Ministry of Health in the form of existing standards. I have to say: For some time now, widespread and unfounded advertisements of sea salt have caused confusion among consumers, and despite the recommendations of the Ministry of Health to consume refined iodized salt, some people still believe that sea salt contains salts in addition to sodium and iodine. It is like calcium and magnesium, which is useful for the body.
pay attention: Sea salt is not licensed by the Ministry of Health
Citizens should refrain from buying sea salt. The director of supervision of food, cosmetics and hygiene of the Faculty of Medical Sciences of Alborz Province, pointing out that no license has been issued by the Ministry of Health for the production and packaging of sea salt, said: Based on the tests, this salt has soluble and non-soluble impurities including lead, mercury, sand and plaster.
Afshar added: Sea salt is unrefined salt and in addition to containing heavy metals, it also contains dangerous substances such as arsenic. Arsenic, a toxic metal, is known to cause cancer.
Heshmati, an expert in the reference laboratory of food, cosmetics and health sciences, Alborz province medical sciences said: Consuming sea salt causes kidney, liver, digestive disorders, hearing loss and lower IQ.
In addition to removing impurities, sea salt has a low amount of iodine or even no iodine, which does not meet the daily need for iodine.
Also, Ms. Hiyari, the head of the chemistry department of the reference laboratory for food, cosmetics and hygiene at the Faculty of Medical Sciences, said: Some unrealistic advertisements advertise sea salt as rich in calcium, magnesium, manganese and iodine.
She added: Also, the people of Soud Jo, sea salt has properties such as lowering blood pressure, reducing swelling during pregnancy, eliminating sinusitis, clarifying the skin and anti-stain, eliminating soda, bile and phlegm, as well as supplying iodine needed by the gland. called thyroid.
She said: According to tests, these salts do not contain any compounds needed by the body.
The director of supervision of food, cosmetics and hygiene of the Faculty of Medical Sciences of Alborz province said: If sea salt is sold in the market, violators will be dealt with strictly.
She asked the citizens not to be fooled by false advertisements and pay attention to the Ministry of Health, Medical Education and Medical Education mark on the product when purchasing.
