Introduction
Many types of salt are on the market today, ranging from everyday salts like table salt and kosher salt to more artisanal ones like Himalayan salt. Now, there’s another one: Celtic salt. But what is Celtic salt, and should you use it?
Celtic salt is sea salt. It’s also called “sel gris” or “grey salt” because its grey colour comes from the extra minerals: magnesium, calcium, potassium, zinc, and iron. A grain of Celtic salt is also more significant than regular table salt. Another thing that sets Celtic salt apart from traditional salt in the grocery store is that not all the water evaporates from Celtic sea salt when it’s processed.
Celtic salt
It is a kind of sea salt harvested from the coastlines of France and Spain and is known for its grey colour and high mineral content. It’s also known as sel gris, French for “grey salt”.
Unlike modern table salt, Celtic sea salt is hand-harvested and sun-dried, preserving its natural mineral content and distinct flavour profile. It is popular among chefs, nutritionists and health enthusiasts because its special production method sets it apart from other salts.
Key Features of Celtic Sea Salt
Celtic sea salt is prized in kitchens worldwide because of its distinctive features. Here are some key elements that set Celtic sea salt apart.
- Mineral Richness: It is famous due to its mineral content. Unlike processed table salt, it maintains essential trace minerals like magnesium, iron, calcium, and potassium. These minerals provide the salt with a distinguishing flavour and possible health benefits.
- Texture and Moisture: Celtic sea salt has a coarse texture and retains a little moisture content, which gives it a pleasant crunch when consumed. This texture makes it an ideal choice as a finishing salt, texture, and counting flavour for dishes before serving. Additionally, the moisture content of Celtic sea salt permits it to absorb ambient moisture, preventing it from becoming overly dry or clumping together.
- Natural Colors: It is known as grey salt. Its natural colour is impacted by the mineral and trace elements of its harvesting environment. This grey colour is also an indicator of its high quality and purity.
Celtic Salt Benefits
Besides adding flavour to dishes, Celtic sea salt is believed to offer health advantages due to its mineral-rich composition. Although research on its benefits is still ongoing, there are some advantages to incorporating Celtic sea salt into one’s diet.
1. Essential Minerals in Celtic Sea Salt
Celtic sea salt emerges as a culinary and wellness marvel, distinguished by its impressive array of over 60 essential minerals—a far cry from your average table salt. It stands as a treasure trove of vital nutrients, resembling a natural multivitamin that can transform every pinch into a step towards a healthier you.
Picture this: with every sprinkle of Celtic sea salt, you’re infusing your meals with magnesium, a key player in muscle function, potassium, which promotes heart health, and calcium, which is crucial for fortifying your bones. In a world where these minerals are often lacking in our daily diets, Celtic sea salt becomes more than a seasoning; it becomes a simple and delicious method of replenishing essential nutrients.
2. Maintaining Electrolyte Balance: A Natural Ally for Hydration
Celtic sea salt takes centre posi as a natural ally in maintaining the delicate balance of electrolytes, a fundamental factor in staying hydrated and ensuring smooth muscle function. Replenishing lost electrolytes is crucial post-workout, and Celtic salt provides a healthier alternative to processed sports drinks.
It becomes a must-have for fitness follower and those looking to support their body’s natural balance by naturally restoring vital minerals like magnesium, potassium, and sodium. Little added to your post-exercise drink or meal can significantly affect the recovery, emphasizing its versatility as a holistic wellness aid.
3. Contains iron to improve energy
Celtic grey salt contains iron, which helps transport oxygen around your body by making haemoglobin in red blood cells. The oxygen gives your organs energy to improve their functioning and ensure everything runs smoothly. The nutrients you consume travel around more quickly, including your brain and heart, for better energy.
Extra tips for improving your energy
- Eat a nutritious diet.
- Get 8-9 hours of sleep.
- Move your body.
4. Supporting Digestive Health: More Than Just a Seasoning
Beyond its culinary prowess, it emerges as a friend to your digestive system. Bumper in miner aids in producing digestive enzymes—an integral component for efficient food breakdown. It ensures better nutrient absorption, contributes to a smoother digestive process, and may alleviate bloating and discomfort.
Including Celtic sea salt in your diet may be a simple yet effective way to support digestive health and overall well-being while making your meals tastier.
5. Enhancing Flavor Naturally: A Game-Changer for Your Taste Buds
Celtic sea salt is better than just a seasoning; it’s a game-changer for your taste buds. Its unique and subtle flavour does more than merely salt your dishes—it enhances their natural flavours without overpowering them. Chefs and home cooks praise Celtic sea salt for its ability to bring out the best in ingredients, whether in a salad, on grilled meat, or in a hearty stew. It can be a great compliment to other herbs and spices.
Switching to Celtic sea salt is a simple yet transformative way to elevate your cooking. Thanks to the addition of a pure, unrefined touch, your dishes will be not only healthier but also more delicious.
6. A source of magnesium for better sleep quality
Two significant hormones that affect sleep are cortisol and melatonin. When cortisol is too high, it deregulates your nervous system, pushing you into a constant state of ‘fight-or-flight,’ keeping you awake at night. It also suppresses melatonin, the sleep hormone that helps you slip into a dreamy slumber.
Magnesium is a mineral found in light grey Celtic sea salt that lowers the stress hormone cortisol and increases the sleep hormone melatonin. It will help you drift off for deeper, more restful sleep and longer sleep duration.
Extra tips for better sleep
- Avoid caffeine before bed.
- Drink a relaxing herbal tea.
- Wind down with a relaxing activity.
7. Reduced Sodium Intake
While Celtic salt is still a source of sodium, its mineral composition allows for a more nuanced and flavorful taste, potentially reducing the amount needed compared to highly processed table salt. This makes it preferable for those aiming to moderate their sodium intake without compromising taste.
8. Promoting Better Hydration: Beyond Water’s Essence
As we all know the important role of water in our lives, Celtic sea salt adds a nuanced layer to the concept of hydration. It’s not just about drinking water; your body’s balance of water and minerals is paramount. This salt’s rich mineral content facilitates water’s effective absorption and retention, preventing dehydration.
Adding Celtic sea salt to your water or meals enhances flavour and supports natural hydration.
9. Alkalizing Properties: A Hidden Gem for Holistic Wellness
Celtic salt’s alkalizing properties add another layer to its holistic benefits. In a world where modern diets lean towards acidity, Celtic salt becomes a crucial ally by promoting a more alkaline environment. This mild pH balance is vital for different bodily functions, including improved energy levels and enhanced immune system performance.
Regularly incorporating Celtic sea salt into your diet is a proactive approach to keeping this balance, making it a wellness essential for anyone desiring to keep their body holistically.
10. Relax the muscles in the bath
Warm baths promote blood flow to tense, sore, and inflamed muscles. Adding sea salt to a bath super encourages muscle relaxation and recovery.
The magnesium, potassium, and zinc in Celtic salt carry nutrients and protein to your muscles and balance electrolytes to help them heal. You can absorb the minerals through your skin and bloodstream, making the salt an excellent addition to your bath.
Add one or two cups of salt to warm, running water and stir to help the crystals dissolve. Step into the mineral-infused water and enjoy a luxurious soak. Remember, you need 1-2 cups of salt to be effective. So, you’ll only waste your muscle repair bath by not adding enough water.
11. Bonus for softer skin
The minerals in the salt dissolve dead skin cells for softer skin while you soak in the tub. You can also make a body scrub using Celtic sea salt coarse (the crystals) for a physical exfoliator. Gently rub in circles to buff away dull cells and reveal silky, glowing skin.
12. Benefits for Skin Health
Celtic salt exceeds its role as a kitchen staple; it emerges as a secret ingredient for radiant skin. This natural salt, rich in minerals, transforms baths and skin scrubs into rejuvenating rituals. It assists detoxify the skin, drawing out impurities while providing important minerals that nourish and revitalize.
Regularly using this can result in softer, smoother skin, and its natural anti-inflammatory properties may soothe irritations and redness. Thanks to the minerals it contains, Celtic salt can be incorporated into your bath or skincare routine, and your skin will feel refreshed and revitalized.
Celtic salt vs other salts
Celtic sea salt vs table salt
Regular salt or table salt is refined, which removes much of its nutritional value but keeps the high sodium content. Table salt is finely ground, making it easy to sprinkle into dishes. Celtic salt crystals are unrefined, so they retain their natural minerals and have a lower sodium content. You can grind the crystals if you want to use grey salt in dishes.
Celtic sea salt vs Epsom salt
Strangely, Epsom salt is not a salt but a mineral with high magnesium levels. It’s often found in the water of lime caves. When the water evaporates, it leaves Epsom salt behind. Celtic salt is officially found in the clay banks of France’s coastline.
Celtic sea salt vs Pink Himalayan salt
Pink Himalayan salt (also known as Himalayan rock salt) is naturally pink. It comes from the Himalayas (no surprises there) and is rich in health benefits. Similarly to grey Celtic sea salt, it has a high mineral content and comes in crystal form.
How to use Celtic sea salt
- Seasoning meats, vegetables and other dishes.
- Add to a glass of water for hydration.
- Dissolve in your bath.
- Use as a body scrub.
How much Celtic salt per day
The recommended daily amount of Celtic salt is less than 2,300 milligrams or one teaspoon. However, the amount you consume may vary depending on your health and diet, and you should use Celtic salt sparingly as part of a balanced diet.
Celtic salt side effects
Although salt is vital for good health, too much sodium from salt may lead to health difficulties. Celtic sea salt includes similar parts of sodium to other kinds of salt, and extreme consumption may increase an individual’s risk of health problems such as stroke, high blood pressure, and kidney disorders.
Conclusion
It is a kind of sea salt harvested from the coastlines of France and Spain and is known for its grey colour and high mineral content.Besides adding flavour to dishes, Celtic sea salt is believed to offer health advantages due to its mineral-rich composition. Although research on its benefits is still ongoing, there are some advantages to incorporating Celtic sea salt into one’s diet.
