Sea Salt vs. Table Salt

What is the Difference Between Sea Salt and Table Salt?

Presented to you by: Sandy Schoepfel MS RD RN CNSD LDN – Canton / Falmouth MA Branches
Home Solutions Infusion Therapy

Sea salt and table salt have the same basic nutritional value, despite the fact that sea salt is often marketed as a more natural and healthy alternative. The most notable differences between sea salt and table salt are in their taste, texture and processing.
Sea salt is produced through evaporation of ocean water or water from saltwater lakes, usually with little processing. Depending on the water source, this leaves behind certain trace minerals and elements. The minerals add flavor and color to sea salt, which also comes in a variety of coarseness levels.

Table salt is typically mined from underground salt deposits, is more heavily processed to eliminate minerals, and usually contains an additive to prevent clumping. Most table salt also has added iodine, an essential nutrient that helps maintain a healthy thyroid.
By weight, sea salt and table salt contain the same amount of sodium.

Regardless of which type of salt you prefer, limit total sodium to less than 2,300 milligrams a day — or 1,500 milligrams if you are 51 years old or older, are African American or have high blood pressure, diabetes or chronic kidney disease. Per the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the average daily sodium intake for most Americans age 2 years and older is 3,436 mg. Learn to read food labels to help calculate your daily sodium intake based on each serving to see how your sodium intake measures up!