Not a day goes by when the internet doesn’t recommend some new kind of health hack; whether it’s freezing cold showers or rubbing gum salts.
The latest in a slew of so-called miracle health tips is Celtic sea salt, which went viral on TikTok worldwide and was recommended as a hormone balance booster by a Vogue nutritionist.
Gray salt has garnered 36.8 million posts on the app and has been hailed as “life-changing” for hormone and gut health.
It is made from evaporated seawater from the Celtic Sea, just off the coast of France, and has been hailed as a miracle by social media users.
Fans of the new salt fad say that just drinking water isn’t enough to stay hydrated, with one user claiming that “most of the water we drink doesn’t contain minerals and doesn’t hydrate us.”
The user explained: “Celtic salt makes it so your body absorbs it, you pee less, your skin glows”.
Some describe “anti-inflammatory” properties that they claim help improve skin, aid digestion and improve gut health.
Even highly controversial viral food critic Eddie Abbew gave a nod of approval to Celtic sea salt, admitting that he sometimes drinks it mixed with water.
While there’s currently no research to back up the hopeful theories, one nutritionist, Jessica Shand, told Vogue that Celtic sea salt may have some benefits as a hormone balancing tool.
Jessica explained that gray salt: “comes from minerals that are absorbed into the clay lining of salt lakes – magnesium, iron, calcium, potassium, manganese, zinc and iodine – all needed in our bodies for optimal hormone function. .’
She explained that the trace minerals found in gray salt help support hormonal health.
She said: ‘I use unrefined salt to support the health of the adrenal glands, as it helps with the body’s stress response and, especially in cases of thyroid dysregulation, plays a role in regulating metabolism and therefore also helps improve energy levels.”
It is the sodium chloride element of any type of salt that helps regulate body functions and thus promotes overall health.
She added that it can help replace electrolytes in the body that can be lost through sweat, and she recommends making your own tonic water with a pinch of Celtic salt and lemon juice.
Barbara O’Neil – an Australian promoter of alternative health care – is considered a pioneer in promoting the health benefits of the supposed miracle product.
He says that “table salt” is very dangerous because it is not as well balanced as other types of salt that have a higher mineral content.
“Celtic sea salt is hand harvested and contains 82 minerals,” she explained in a YouTube video that has over 5.2 million views.
Its high mineral content means that it is “balanced” in minerals and thus helps our body absorb water properly.
The holistic trainer said it’s the “balance” that puts Celtic sea salt ahead of its competitors, such as Himalayan sea salt, another sodium source once favored by the health-conscious.
She explained that Celtic salt contains three types of magnesium, which is a “water-hungry mineral.”
According to O’Neil, it is this element that makes Celtic sea salt the most ideal for promoting cellular water resorption.
Click here to resize this module
But before salt addicts get too sprinkling, O’Neil only recommends a “sesame seed-sized” amount, which she says should be taken before every glass of water to maximize absorption.
She explained that the salt then allows the water to be immediately absorbed by the cells when taken with water.
Despite being a trophy for optimal health, others have criticized the hype and dismissed its status as a superfood.
According to Livestrong, most of the evidence pointing to the supposed benefits of salt is anecdotal and not based on research.
In fact, few of us would associate salt with health – as the NHS recommends that individuals eat no more than a teaspoon a day to avoid the risk of high blood pressure and heart-related disease.
Symptoms of excessive salt consumption can be: frequent thirst, high water retention (edema), high blood pressure, which can cause headaches and lead to more serious conditions.