A new trend has emerged on social media featuring a morning drink made with Himalayan pink salt, warm water and lemon juice. Influencers claim this mixture can help burn fat, boost metabolism and alleviate water retention. But is there any scientific backing for this pink salt trick? Here, Dr. Kahlid Zalmay debunks the myths surrounding the pink salt trick.
What is Himalayan pink salt?
Himalayan pink salt is a naturally occurring rock salt mined from mountains in Pakistan. Its characteristic pink color comes from trace minerals including calcium, magnesium and potassium. There are numerous claims about the health benefits of Himalayan pink salt…but apart from its characteristic pink color, there actually is very little difference between pink salt and standard table salt.
Myth #1: Himalayan pink salt can help you lose weight
There is no scientific evidence to support the claim that pink salt aids in weight loss. While drinking water and staying hydrated is always a healthy choice, there are no proven health benefits to adding pink salt. If pink salt genuinely could help people lose weight, it would be proven by robust research trials and doctors would be prescribing it.
Myth #2: Himalayan pink salt is healthier than table salt
There isn’t any significant difference between table salt and pink salt even though pink salt undergoes less processing than regular table salt. There may be a slightly higher composition of trace elements, but these levels are so tiny that you would have to consume extremely large quantities of pink salt for them to have any effect on your health. In fact, a 2009 analysis of studies conducted by researchers at “Federico II” University of Naples Medical School and other institutions found that excessive sodium intake is linked to obesity, cardiovascular disease, stroke and other health conditions.
Myth #3: Himalayan pink salt can help reduce water retention
In reality, the opposite is true—reducing salt intake helps lower water retention in the body. Your body maintains a delicate balance of sodium and water. When you consume too much salt, your body holds onto extra water to balance this out, which can lead to water retention and weight gain.
You’ll likely continue to see videos on social media about the “pink salt trick for weight loss” or “how to lose weight with the pink salt trick,” but the science just does not back up these claims.
How to spot a health and wellness myth in the future: Ask yourself these few questions…
Are these claims too good to be true?
What is the evidence and scientific research behind it?
Does an influencer make this claim?
Is he/she trying to sell you a supplement…or has the supplement company paid him to promote this?
