How do sea salt and table salt differ?

[Snowden]

How do sea salt and table salt differ? Peter H. Gott, M.D.

DEAR DR. GOTT: Please explain the health benefits of using sea salt for cooking in place of regular iodized salt.


DEAR READER: In a word, none. The only real difference is in the taste and texture, but both have identical nutritional values. Iodized table salt is generally derived from rock salt mined from mineral deposits and is fine-grained. Sea salt is harvested from sea water through evaporation and is available in both fine and coarse grains. Its flavor is more subtle and often preferred because it contains no iodine or additives.

All people require iodine for normal thyroid function. Fish, dairy products and many processed foods contain adequate amounts, so all households on well-balanced diets can switch to sea salt without the risk of inadequate iodine intake. In fact, it is rare that a person consumes too little iodine, and it is more likely that too much is ingested.
The general recommended intake of sodium (in any form) is between 1,500 and 2,300 milligrams daily for healthy adults. Excessive sodium can lead to hypertension, obesity, fluid retention and a host of other serious medical conditions. Salt makes food taste good, but it isn't good when consumed in excess. We've all seen people reach for a salt shaker without even tasting the food when dinner arrives at the table. They haven't any idea whether the food is oversalted to begin with or extremely spicy and doesn't need seasoning. The answer is to eliminate salt from foods prepared at home and to remove the salt shaker from the dinner table. It goes without saying that snacks are often high in sodium content and should be limited as well.


Dr. Peter Gott

[Woodmonkey]

I've often wondered what the difference was. My middle daughter uses sea salt a lot.

[Sally Brown]

I would have guessed that I use sea salt in my ice cream maker but table salt is way too costly. Table salt is still too costly but it is good to know that in a pinch, I can cook with the coarse stuff as well as make great homemade ice cream!