Sendha Namak (Rock Salt) Benefits
Who could have ever thought eating namak of any sort will help in shedding those extra kilos? The same goes for sendha namak – let's look at its beautiful benefits.
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We are sure you all must have heard of this famous dialogue, “Namak Swad Anusar” by the renowned chef Sanjeev Kapoor or “namak shamak, namak shamak, dal dete hai” by Chef Harpal Singh, while watching your favourite cookery show.
After all, namak or salt is indeed one of the main ingredients of every kitchen, irrespective of Indian or Global.
But do you know how great namak is, especially sendha namak?
It’s not your typical table salt – it’s a natural wonder with a delightful pink hue that’s been treasured for centuries. People often considered using it over any other variant.
But why is it so popular, especially with health enthusiasts?
Sendha Namak, better known as Rock Salt or Himalayan Pink Salt, is a precious gem found in the majestic reaches of the Himalayan Mountains.
This natural wonder is a culinary delight and a source of potential health benefits that have captivated health enthusiasts worldwide.
Revered for its purity and unique mineral composition, sendha namak offers many advantages beyond other salt variants.
So, let’s get started and check out some healthy, nutritious, and yummilicious benefits of sendha namak.
What is Sendha or Rock Salt?
In India, you will hear this variant more as sendha namak than rock salt or Himalayan pink salt (the other names).
This variant of namak is often used during fasts as it is said to be pure.
Sendha namak is made when seawater from a lake or sea evaporates and leaves beautiful sodium chloride crystals behind.
It is a highly valued salt variant for centuries, especially in Ayurveda.
It is said to have many health benefits associated with it, and we are here to check some of these today.
Health Benefits of Sendha Namak
Sendha Namak is a natural treasure trove of health advantages, not merely a tasty complement to your meals.
The magnificent Himalayan Mountains’ old salt mines produce this gorgeous pink-hued, aesthetically pleasing and rich in healthy minerals. Let’s look at some of its benefits:
1. Sendha Namak for Digestion
Digestion is one common problem among many these days, and if you are to get a healthy way to curb it, nothing like it. Isn’t it?
Sendha namak is just the ingredient you need to help you with your digestion issues and to keep your tummy happy tummy [1]. But how?
This salt stimulates the release of digestive enzymes in the stomach. These enzymes are essential for digesting food and assisting in digestion.
Also, proper hydration is essential for healthy digestion, which is abundant in sendha namak.
It contains vital minerals that help maintain the body’s electrolyte balance, promoting hydration and supporting efficient digestion.
And you may have all heard how consuming sendha namak helps with indigestion issues.
It is because this salt is said to have a balancing effect on stomach acid levels.
As a result, it can aid in controlling excessive acidity while easing symptoms such as heartburn and acid reflux.
Similarly, the minerals in rock salt may relax the digestive system and lessen indigestion, gas, and bloating.
For people with constipation, drink lassi and add sendha namak to it.
It acts as a natural laxative, promoting healthy bowel movement and preventing constipation.
Digestive Quotient Test
If you keep a close tab on your digestive health, you should definitely check out Digestive Quotient Test by Aashirvaad Atta by Multigrain. You can figure out how well your digestion system is performing out of 100 by answering some simple questions.
So, continue eating healthy for a healthy and happy tummy.
2. Sendha Namak for Essential Minerals
Do you know what makes this pink-coloured salt different from the other varieties? It is the presence of various essential minerals that your body needs [2].
The first is magnesium, essential for several biological processes like energy production, bone health, muscle and neuron function, and many more.
It also contains iron, necessary for synthesising haemoglobin, a protein in red blood cells that need to carry oxygen throughout the body.
Adequate iron intake is essential for supporting overall health.
Then there is zinc, a trace mineral required for DNA synthesis, wound healing, and immunological function.
Last but not least is the presence of copper, which is essential for many enzymatic reactions in the body & aids in producing red blood cells.
Isn’t these minerals excellent for your body?
3. Rock Salt for Muscle Cramps
It may come as a surprise for some that salt can also help in reducing muscle cramps. But sendha namak may help alleviate muscle cramps due to its rich mineral content [3].
It contains magnesium, a crucial mineral needed by the muscle for both its relaxation and proper operation.
This mineral helps regulate muscle contractions and prevents excessive muscle tightness or spasms, which can lead to cramps.
On the other hand, potassium present in rock salt is crucial for proper muscle function.
It supports muscular contractions and maintains the appropriate flow of fluids into and out of cells.
4. Pink Salt for Sore Throats
Next time when you have a sore throat, remember to use sendha namak [4]. Why?
Let’s say its unique properties that will convince you why we say it is good to curb sore throats.
Due to its possible antibacterial and anti-inflammatory characteristics, rock salt can help ease a sore throat.
So how should you use it?
Gargling with salt water is one of the most popular cures for sore throat. When combined with warm water, rock salt can help lessen swelling and drain extra fluid from inflamed throat tissues.
By removing bacteria and irritants, it also assists in clearing the throat.
Additionally, it contains minerals with anti-inflammatory qualities like potassium and magnesium. As a result, gargling with its water can help soothe discomfort and lessen throat irritation.
At the same time, its potential antibacterial properties may help kill the growth of bacteria in the throat that could contribute to soreness.
5. Rock Salt for Skin
Can you imagine eating sendha namak and improving your skin texture [5]? Didn’t we say we would share some surprising benefits? Let’s look into it.
Its mineral-rich makeup and potential therapeutic qualities are among the factors that make it suitable for your skin.
How can you use that to your advantage, then?
It can be a natural exfoliant to remove dead skin cells and unclog pores. When combined with oils or water, it produces a gentle scrub that helps reveal smoother, healthier-looking skin.
Its numerous minerals, like calcium and magnesium, can help detoxify by drawing out toxins and impurities from the skin.
Additionally, the minerals in it can help maintain the skin’s pH balance, resulting in a healthier and more even complexion.
You can add some sendha namak to your bath water to promote skin hydration. The minerals in it can help retain moisture and improve skin barrier function.
Side Effects of Rock Salt
While moderate consumption of rock salt is generally considered harmless, excessive intake can have some adverse effects and health hazards.
Like all other types of salt, rock salt is mainly made of sodium chloride. An increase in blood pressure might result from consuming too much sodium.
Also, remember not to stop using your regular salt or table salt as it contains iodine.
Your body needs adequate iodine for its growth, metabolism and development.
So, you can include rock salt in your diet for various health advantages but do not forget your table salt at the same time.
Final Thoughts
The fantastic rock salt, Sendha Namak, or Himalayan pink salt, is much more than a simple spice.
This natural treasure offers a wealth of potential advantages for our health and well-being, from its alluring pink colour to its complex mineral content.
It has continued to enchant health enthusiasts and foodies alike, whether for its ability to improve skin, enhance muscle health, ease a sore throat, or aid digestion.
You can enjoy its distinctive flavour, embrace its healing qualities, and discover the keys to a healthier and more holistic way of life by knowing the potential advantages of it.
So add a dash of this fantastic salt to your life and watch as its amazing effects improve your well-being, one dash at a time.
FAQs
1. Is it reasonable to eat sendha namak?
As per Ayurveda, it is considered the best salt to consume. Therefore, it is the only salt considered pure during fasting. Moreover, it can improve digestion, skin texture, and many others.
2. Can you eat sendha namak daily?
Yes, there is no harm in eating sendha namak regularly. Add it to your salads, lassi, or sprinkle on your fruits. You can also include this namak in making normal sabzi and curries. You can try adding some to see how it tastes differently from the regular salt.
3. Are there any side effects of sendha namak?
Excess of everything is considered bad for health, so it is valid for rock salt. The critical point to remember is not to replace it with table salt, or else it can result in iodine deficiency.
4. Is it possible for the blood pressure to increase because of using sendha namak?
Although sendha namak is good for health, excessive consumption may result in high BP.
5. Who should not eat rock salt?
It is absolutely safe to be eaten by everyone, but remember to eat in moderation.
