The newest TikTok hack makes you think all it takes is a sprinkle of salt to get better sleep, clearer skin, and more energy.
Gray salt, or Celtic sea salt, is famous on social media, where loyal fans rave about how it supposedly heals and moisturizes.
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Why Celtic Sea Salt Is So Popular
Abby Baffoe was the first person to talk about Celtic sea salt as her "newest favorite beauty secret" on TikTok in May. She was happy to tell the 933,600 people who followed her about it.
@abbybaffoe Glow from the inside out stay hydrated yall!!!!! #celticsalt #healthylifestyle #beautytips ♬ original sound - Abby Baffoe
According to Baffoe, Celtic salt has 80 minerals. She said that breaking up a piece or two in your mouth before drinking water will help your body absorb water throughout the day, replacing minerals lost through sweating and urine and making digestion easier. In a later video, she also said that gray salt can help with headaches, lower blood pressure, combat inflammation, and improve sleep.
A functional medicine doctor named Dr. Shivani Amin says that Celtic sea salt differs from other salts because it is gray and has more minerals. She says that compared to Morton's table salt, Celtic salt is moister and less treated, so it retains more minerals. Despite these claims, qualified dietitian Alex Oskian points out that most elemental analyses of Celtic sea salt show 20 elements or less.
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Are the Benefits Real?
Some people are into the trend, but experts say you shouldn't invest too much in Celtic sea salt's health benefits. A dietitian from San Francisco named Edwina Clark said that Celtic sea salt has minerals, but only in small amounts, and doesn't add much nutritional value. Clark also says that the average amount of sodium Americans eat daily is already high, often more than the 2,300 mg that is suggested.
The American Heart Association also says that although sea salts like Celtic salt may be less treated, they can still contain lead and other ocean pollutants. Brands like Selina Naturally tell customers that the small amounts of lead in their Celtic sea salt are not dangerous.
Celtic sea salt contains small amounts of iron and zinc, calcium, magnesium, and potassium. One teaspoon of Celtic salt has 1,840 mg of sodium, while one teaspoon of table salt has 2,300 mg. This is because the salt flakes are different shapes.
So, do TikTok users get all the health benefits Celtic sea salt claims to give them? It's possible, but most likely not because they're adding a small amount of salt to their routine.
The trend suggests that people drink more water, which is a positive thing in and of itself. Eat many meals high in minerals, not just salty foods, and urge experts to gain more minerals easily.
Celtic sea salt may help your body absorb water and add minerals, but it shouldn't be a magic bullet for health issues. The right amount of everything is important, and a healthy diet is good for overall health.
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