When it comes to hydration and performance, not all salt is created equal.
Most people think “salt is salt.” But there’s a massive difference between refined table salt and mineral-rich real salt (and it could be the difference between supporting your health or stressing your system).
Let’s break down the science and explain why real salt belongs in your electrolytes, not the stripped-down stuff.
1. Table Salt Is Stripped of Its Minerals
Table salt is made by refining natural salt down to just two elements: sodium and chloride.
Everything else (the trace minerals your body actually needs) is removed.
Barbara O’Neill explains that table salt is dangerous because it isolates 2 harsh minerals (sodium and chloride). You need the other 80 minerals in real salt to soften and balance them.
The problem? When you isolate sodium and chloride from their natural mineral companions, they become more intense, harder on the body, and less supportive of overall health.
2. Real Salt Delivers What Your Body Actually Needs
Real salt (like Pink Himalayan salt or sea salt) is minimally processed and contains 80+ trace minerals, including:
- Potassium
- Magnesium
- Calcium
- Zinc
- Copper
- Iron
These minerals work synergistically to support hydration, nerve function, muscle contraction, and recovery.
In short: your body is designed to absorb a full spectrum of electrolytes, not just two.
3. Why Most Electrolyte Supplements Get It Wrong
Many commercial electrolyte products still rely on refined table salt or low-quality sodium sources (simply because it’s cheaper). But cheap ingredients come at a cost:
- Harsh on the stomach
- Less bioavailable (harder to absorb)
- Fails to replenish key minerals lost through sweat
Real salt provides sodium in a balanced, natural form your body knows how to use — making it more effective and easier to tolerate.
4. Electrolytes Are About More Than Sodium Alone
Yes, sodium is critical for hydration, blood pressure regulation, and muscle function (especially during intense exercise or heat exposure). But without potassium, magnesium, and other co-factors, your electrolyte system breaks down.
That’s why real salt-based formulas are so powerful. They give you the sodium you need, plus the trace minerals that help your body absorb and use it properly.
The Bottom Line
If you’re serious about performance, recovery, and long-term health, the source of your sodium matters.
Real salt isn’t just “better” — it’s how your body was designed to hydrate.
Table salt may be cheap, but it’s isolated and incomplete.
Real salt fuels you the way nature intended.
