Black Salt: Health Benefits And Recipes

Kala Namak, or "black salt," is a kind of rock salt typically used in India and has a strong, unpleasant odour. In addition to "black salt," there are several additional names for this ingredient, including "loon," "sanchal," "sulemani Namak," "pada loon," "Kala loon," etc. It is also known as Himalayan black salt since it was first discovered in the Himalayas.

Black salt is manufactured using sodium chloride and has a strong odour because of the sulphur it contains. Most pebbles are pink, whereas the resulting powder has a purple-pink hue. It has many nutritional properties and is beneficial for curbing cholesterol.

Table Of Contents

1. Nutritional Value Of Black Salt

2. What Is Black Salt?

3. Types Of Black Salt

4. Health Benefits Of Indian Black Salt

5. Other Attributes Of Black Salt

6. Black Salt Recipes

7. Dietitian Recommendation

8. The Final Say

9. FAQs

Nutritional Value Of Black Salt

The nutritional value of 100g of salt is:

• Iron - 43.1mg
• Sodium - 37.83mg
• Chloride - 60.3mg
• Potassium - 87 mg
• Sulphur - 450mg

What Is Black Salt?

Kala Namak, sometimes known as "black salt," is a rock salt. It is harvested from Himalayan salt mines in India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, and elsewhere. Black salt has been utilised in Ayurvedic medicine for thousands of years due to its holistic and therapeutic properties.

However, due to the high concentration of insoluble minerals, it is poorly absorbed by the human body.

The most common black salt is Himalaya, black lava, and black ceremonial salt. Hawaiian black salt is another name for black lava salt. It may be found in abundance throughout the Hawaiian Islands. Black ritual salt, often called witch's salt, is a mixture of ashes, sea salt, charcoal, and sometimes black pigment. No one should eat it.

Types Of Black Salt

1. Indian Black Salt

This black salt, known as Kala Namak in India, comes from the Himalayas and is often used to prepare chutneys, chaat, and other Indian salads.

It is gathered from volcanic mines and the salt lakes surrounding Rajasthan and utilised in Pakistan, Nepal, and the Himalayan regions. 

Besides the expected sulphur and sodium, Indian black salt also contains iron sulphide, which gives the salt its distinctive pink tint. In addition, other compounds, such as bisulphite, contribute to its distinct sour flavour.

You may take it to eliminate gastric problems if you have stomach issues.

2. Hawaiian Black Salt

Hawaiian black lava salt is a sea salt from the Pacific Ocean that is a deep charcoal black. It is often taken from the Pacific Ocean and combined with activated charcoal made from coconut shells, giving the salt its distinctive black hue. Unlike the finer Indian black salt, this kind has a more grainy consistency.

Charcoal made from coconut shells has an earthy taste. Thus, this salt is best reserved for finishing (or sprinkling on) foods before serving. Fruit salads, popcorn, avocado, potatoes, and drinks benefit from this versatile flavour of salt.

3. Cyprus Black Salt

Black salt from Cyprus is harvested in the Mediterranean Sea. Its crisp, pyramid-shaped flakes have a unique, distinctive flavour.

Charcoal made from willow, birch, and linden wood is combined with this salt to create this compound. This salt is good for you on several levels, including detoxification.

When vegetables, meats, and other foods are sautéed or grilled, this salt is sprinkled on top as a finishing salt.

Health Benefits Of Indian Black Salt

1. Therapeutic Uses

Besides being a tasty addition to dishes like chaat, chutneys, and fruit salads, it also has therapeutic uses.

2. Aids Digestion

In Ayurveda, black salt is a cooling spice that aids digestion and acts as a laxative. Aside from that, it helps reduce indigestion and gas.

3. Good For Lungs

Additionally, the iron in black salt promotes red blood cell synthesis. Black salt is beneficial for infants because it relieves indigestion, intestinal gas, and excess phlegm in the lungs.

4. Relieves Constipation

Black salt acts as a digestive and softens stiff stools. Therefore it also aids in relieving constipation.

5. Regulates Blood Sugar

Studies have shown that low salt levels cause the body to secrete less insulin. Conversely, the high sodium content of black salt helps the body produce insulin, making it easier to regulate blood sugar when consumed regularly.

6. Cleanses Feet

Soaking your feet in warm water laced with black salt will help cleanse your feet and reduce swelling because of the anti-inflammatory effects of salt.

7. Produces Digestive Enzymes

White salt slows the digestive process, whereas black salt makes it faster. Additionally, it promotes rapid fat burning by facilitating the production of digestive enzymes.

8. Regulates Cholesterol

There is a level of cholesterol considered normal. Still, many patients with high cholesterol have found that black salt helps to thin their blood. However, those who already have hypertension should avoid it. 

9. Increases Blood Flow

When taken regularly, black salt may reduce the risk of developing blood clots and increase overall blood flow.

Other Attributes Of Black Salt

• It is an excellent antacid.
• Helpful in fat burning, preventing hair loss, and stimulating blood cell production (haematinic action).
• This compound may have anti-diabetic effects
• Has anti-oxidant effects
• Has anti-inflammatory (demulcent) effects
• Has potential anthelmintic (worm-killing) properties
• Has the possibility of acting as a digestive stimulant
• Has apoptogenic properties
• Has anti-flatulent effects 
• Acts as haematinic (blood-cell-inducing)

Black Salt Recipes

There are many methods to consume black salt. Here are some recipes that can be prepared for black salt consumption:

1. Pineapple Masala Drink

It is a delicious drink which has the goodness of black salt and is suitable for digestion:

Ingredients

• Pineapple chopped- 1 cup
• Jeera powder- 1/8 tsp
• Powdered sugar- 1 tsp
• Black salt- ¼ tsp
• Chat masala- 1/8 tsp
• Chilled water- 1 glass

Preparation Method

• Add chilled water to all the ingredients.
• Blend until smooth.
• Serve it in a glass.
• Add extra black salt for garnishing on the glass rim.

2. Besan Masala Peanut

This is a novel recipe for a nutritious mid-meal snack high in protein and fat.

Ingredients

• Besan flour- 2 tbsp
• Black salt- ¼ tsp
• Chilli powder- 1/3 tsp
• Dhania jeera powder- ¼ tsp
• Raw peanuts- ½ cup
• Turmeric powder- 1/8 tsp
• Amchur powder- 1/3 tsp
• Hing- 1/8 tsp
• Baking soda- 1 pinch 
• Oil- ½ tbsp

Preparation Method

1. Put everything in a bowl and stir until combined, but do not add the peanuts.

2. Now, add the peanuts to the bowl, along with enough water to ensure that they are well coated in the mixture, and drain the excess mixture back into the bowl.

3. Now, stir the peanut butter and 2 tablespoons of water into the besan flour to eliminate any lumps.

4. To bake the peanuts, lay them out evenly and heat them in the microwave for 4 minutes at high temperature.

5. Take them out, toss them, and reheat them in the microwave until they are crispy.

6. When they are done cooking and crispy, put them in a jar, and they are ready to eat whenever you are.

3. Chatpata Bread (Multigrain bread or brown bread is preferred)

Here is a tasty chatpata snack to munch on if you are in the mood for something hot and sour.

Ingredients

• Olive oil- 1 tsp
• Chilli powder- ¼ tsp
• Turmeric powder- 1/8 tsp
• Bread- 2 slices
• Chopped onion- 1 small
• Chopped capsicum- 1 tbsp
• Black salt- ¼ tsp
• Garam masala- ¼ tsp
• Chopped garlic- 2-3 cloves
• Chopped coriander leaves- 2 tbsp
• Chopped tomatoes- 2 tbsp

Process

1. Add garlic, onion, and bell pepper into a skillet with olive oil and cook for two or three minutes.

2. In a large bowl, combine the chopped tomato, turmeric powder, chilli powder, and salt. To prevent the spices from sinking to the bottom, add 1 tbsp of water.

3. Once that is done, add the garam masala and the black salt and let the dish simmer for a good while.

4. Spread the previously made masala over the bread, roast it until one side is crusty, and then top it with chopped coriander before returning the pan to the stove.

5. Serve immediately with a squeeze of fresh lemon.

Dietitian’s Recommendation

I recommend that black salt be used instead of regular salt since it has no adverse effects on our blood sodium levels. Furthermore, black salt steam helps to expand airways to the lungs, eliminate trapped mucus, and reduce sinusitis pain. The potassium in black salt aids in easing both cramps and spasms.

                                                                             -Dietitian Akshata Gandevikar

Final Say

The positive effects of black salt on digestion and bowel movement make it a valuable health supplement. In addition to its aesthetic value, black salt is often used to prepare various Indian meals, including chat, drinks, sharbat, etc., because of the sour and salty flavour it imparts to the cuisine. 

FAQ

1. Is it advisable to consume black salt?

Black salt is preferable to white salt since it does not induce a similar rise in sodium levels in the body.

2. How to add black salt to our diet?

It is easy to include into your diet by adding it to salads.

3. What is the origin of black salt?

The Himalayas are the cradle of the creation of black salt. Therefore, the differences from Himalayan pink salt are significant.

 4. Is it good to use black salt for cooking?

Black salt may be used safely in cooking and is a convenient alternative.

About TONEOP

TONEOP is a platform dedicated to improving and maintaining your good health through a comprehensive range of goal-oriented diet plans and recipes. It also intends to provide value-added content to our consumers.  

Download TONEOP to access our diet plans, recipes & much more. 

Android user- https://bit.ly/ToneopAndroid

Apple user-   https://apple.co/38ykc9H