The Healthiest Salt: Which One Should You Be Using?

Last Updated on May 15, 2025

Curious about what salt is healthiest?  You’re not alone!  My clients often ask me which salt is best and worth investing in – and that’s what this post is all about.

Salt has gotten a bad rap in modern health circles—but the truth is, natural, unrefined salt is essential for optimal health.

Your body needs real salt to function. It supports:

• 💧 Hydration by helping cells absorb and retain water

• ⚡ Nerve and muscle function via essential electrolytes

• 🧠 Adrenal and thyroid health, especially under stress

• 🥣 Stomach acid production to support digestion

• 🧂 Craving control and better food satisfaction

• 🩸 Balanced blood pressure when the right kind is used

The problem isn’t salt—it’s the kind of salt most people eat.

Highly refined table salt is stripped of minerals, chemically bleached, and often laced with additives and anti-caking agents. That’s not the kind of salt your body thrives on.

So what is the healthiest salt to use?

Below, we’ll break down the most popular natural salts—Celtic Sea Salt, Himalayan Pink Salt, Baja Gold, Redmond Real Salt, and more—highlighting the pros and cons of each, so you can choose the one that’s right for your body and your goals.

Let’s dig in.

1. Celtic Sea Salt (Sel Gris)

Harvested from coastal salt flats in France

Pros:

• Unrefined and hand-harvested
• Moist and mineral-rich (especially magnesium)
• Contains over 80 trace minerals
• Supports adrenal and nervous system health

Cons:

• Moisture makes it clumpy—doesn’t work well in salt shakers
• Strong oceanic flavor may not suit all dishes
• More expensive than standard table salt
• Some tests show higher levels of heavy metals (like lead), depending on source and harvesting practices

Best for: People needing more minerals or support with energy, stress, or hydration.

2. Himalayan Pink Salt

From ancient sea beds in the Himalayan mountains (Pakistan)

Pros:

• Gorgeous pink hue from iron and mineral content
• Contains around 84 trace minerals
• Dry and easy to grind or use in shakers
• Versatile for cooking, soaking, and even salt lamps

Cons:

• Mineral levels are minimal (you’d need tablespoons daily for meaningful benefits)
• May contain impurities if not properly sourced
• Some companies overcharge for “pink salt” that’s no cleaner than others

Best for: Everyday use in place of table salt—especially if you want a cleaner, prettier salt.

3. Baja Gold Sea Salt

Harvested from the Sea of Cortez in Mexico

Pros:

• One of the highest mineral contents of any sea salt
• Sun-dried, unrefined, and contains natural marine-based electrolytes
• Naturally moist and flavorful—used in many health protocols
• High in magnesium, potassium, and calcium

Cons:

• Moist texture can clump—needs to be stored in a jar
• Stronger flavor may overpower delicate recipes
• May be harder to find in local stores (order online)

Best for: Athletes, adrenal fatigue, keto diets, and anyone needing a serious mineral boost.

 

4. Redmond Real Salt

From ancient seabeds in Utah, USA

Pros:

• Clean, unrefined, and mined from underground—less risk of pollution
• Contains over 60 trace minerals
• Milder taste than ocean salts
• Great for those who want a domestic source of mineral salt

Cons:

• Lower mineral content compared to Baja Gold or Celtic
• Still more expensive than regular salt
• Earthier flavor might not suit all dishes

Best for: Those who want a clean, well-rounded salt sourced in the U.S.

 

5. Table Salt (Iodized Salt)

Highly processed, stripped of minerals, and chemically treated

Pros:

• Inexpensive and widely available
• Fortified with iodine to prevent deficiency (important if you don’t eat seaweed or seafood)

Cons:

• Refined and bleached
• Often contains anti-caking agents like aluminum
• No natural trace minerals
• Can spike blood pressure and cause fluid retention in some people

Best for: Emergency use—or baking, where consistency is key. Otherwise, best to swap it out.

 

So… What’s the Healthiest Salt?

It depends on your needs. But if we had to rank based on purity, mineral content, and health benefits:

1. 🟡 Baja Gold – Highest in natural electrolytes
2. 🩶 Celtic Sea Salt – Great for hydration, but source matters
3. 💗 Himalayan Pink Salt – Widely available and versatile
4. 🧂 Redmond Real Salt – Clean U.S. option
5. ❌ Table Salt – Use sparingly or replace

 

Final Thoughts

Salt itself isn’t the enemy—stripped, refined, and chemically altered salt is.  

Your body actually needs salt to function optimally. But it needs the right kind: real, unrefined salt rich in natural trace minerals. Choosing high-quality salt supports your metabolism, hydration, hormone balance, and cellular health.

So don’t ditch salt—upgrade it.  If you’re curious about what brands see the Healthy Salt brands I recommend most.

Want to know what else your body needs to thrive?  Take the Metabolic Type Quiz to find out how to eat and live in alignment with your unique metabolic needs.

 

Your Coach & Biggest Cheerleader,