Refined Vs. Unrefined Salt

Refined salt, or table salt, undergoes refining to remove minerals and impurities. It contains sodium chloride (97.5 to 99.9 percent) and additives, such as iodine. Unrefined sea salt contains sodium chloride (87 percent) and other minerals (16 percent). Both salts react differently in the human body.

Significance

Refined salt is more popular and obtainable than unrefined salt because it does not clump together in the presence of humidity. Refined salt has anticaking agents that make it easy to use in salt shakers.

Iodine

The human body needs iodine to regulate thyroid function. Iodine is added to some varieties of refined salt, while unrefined salt already contains iodine in addition to other minerals.

Minerals

There are around 92 minerals in unrefined sea salt, including chlorine, calcium, magnesium, sulfur, silicon, bromine, phosphorus and vanadium. Refined salt contains no natural minerals.

Taste

There are different types of unrefined sea salts. The flavor and color depend on where and how they are harvested. Refined salt is white with little variance in flavor.

Other Uses

Unrefined sea salt is also used in cosmetics and as a bath salt. The majority of refined salt is used for industrial purposes, such as the manufacture of paper, dyes and soaps.

References

• A Pillar of Salt
• Salt Institute
• Unrefined Ocean Sea Salt versus Refined Salt