Amal Al-Sibai

Saudi Gazette

“Salt; it can be your good friend or a dangerous enemy, depending on the type you use,” warned Dr. Motarid Al-Nagi, a physician working for the Ministry of Health in Riyadh who is also an advocate of adopting a healthy lifestyle.



Salt – believe it or not – can be good for your health as long as it is the natural, unrefined type that you are consuming and in moderate quantities. If this notion goes against everything you ever heard of villainous salt before, read on.



“We converted a potentially-healthy part of our diet into a harmful enemy when we manufactured refined salt,” said Dr. Al-Nagi while explaining that the difference between the two lies in the manufacturing process.



“Natural, unrefined salt is extracted the same way it has been for over 2,000 years without the use of harsh chemicals. The glorious, fiery sun in the sky is the most efficient tool for salt extraction. The sun does a perfect job of simply evaporating excess water; leaving mounds of unadulterated salt and preserving all of its natural ingredients,” explained Dr. Al-Nagi.



Natural salt was traditionally used for centuries in kitchens without contributing to health problems, until advanced inventions came along to supposedly improve the process.



A completely different procedure is followed to produce modern refined salt, which is first treated with chemicals such as chlorine, sulfuric acid and even caustic soda. These harmful chemicals remove potassium from the salt. Recent studies have shown that a low level of potassium in the body is the underlying factor associated with high blood pressure and heart disease.



Next in the process, water is evaporated at extremely high temperatures with the addition of pressure which results in changing the molecular structure of the salt. The only minerals left behind in this man-made salt are sodium and chloride.



Manufacturers of refined salt add anti-caking agents such as aluminum silicate. Its function is to absorb excess moisture to extend the shelf life of salt; which is good for business but not so good for your health. Many studies are pointing to aluminum toxicity as a culprit in the development of Alzheimer’s disease. Bleach is also added which gives table salt its attractive, impeccable white color.



Most of us are fairly familiar with the pH scale, even those of us who loathed chemistry class in school. The pH scale measures the acidity or alkalinity of a substance.



“The human body’s internal pH level should be at around 7.2. Any shift in this level creates health problems. Refined salt decreases the pH of the body towards the acidic side. An acidic environment in the body makes our tissues and organs more prone to developing chronic diseases such as cancer, arthritis, osteoporosis, and fungal infections. Decreasing pH will have a detrimental effect on the kidneys, liver, brain, and immune system,” said Dr. Al-Nagi.



The bad reputation of salt for its role in elevating blood pressure is actually only attributable to refined salt. Unrefined salt is free from blame. That is because refined salt has a very high concentration of sodium and lacks potassium. This unbalance in the ratio of sodium to potassium is what raises blood pressure. This problem does not exist when using unrefined salt because it contains a fair amount of potassium.



In one study, patients with high blood pressure switched from using refined salt to natural unrefined salt while remaining on the exact same dose of their prescribed medications. The researchers noticed a significant decrease in patients’ blood pressure levels simply by replacing the type of salt in their diet. Natural unrefined salt contains more than 100 essential, healthy substances that we need to maintain an optimal electrolyte balance in our bodies.



The obvious question is: Why is refined salt so popular and widespread to the extent that unrefined salt is virtually unheard of in our society? Refined salt can be produced quicker, in greater quantities and it can be stored for many years. This process is more cost-effective than the slower but healthier natural method of producing unrefined salt.



The bright white color of refined salt is more appealing to the consumer. On the other hand, unrefined salt which has larger, clumpy crystals that are darker in color looks far less attractive. Another advantage is convenience; refined salt flows smoothly from the salt shaker without clumping thanks to the aluminum containing anti-caking agent.



Nutritionists’ dietary guidelines advise healthy adults to consume no more than 6 grams of salt per day, which is equal to about 1 teaspoon of salt. The actual current intake for the average adult is 9 grams of salt per day, 50 percent higher than the recommended amount.



“Naturally occurring rock and lake salt are probably the healthiest options and they can be found at local stores that sell natural herbs commonly used in Saudi culture. I strongly advise all members of society to switch to unrefined salt and to stop using refined table salt,” concluded Dr. Al-Nagi.