The Internet is full of trends like pink salt that may not always be true to their claims. One such weight loss hack has caused a stir on TikTok recently. Clearing up the “mineral-rich” salt trend seems like the timely thing to do, so the audience doesn’t have to struggle with trying everything they see. Let’s see if a pinch of salt actually sheds that body fat, or it’s just a marketing strategy.
Where does this salt come from, and what are its main mineral components?
The pink salt, or the Himalayan Salt, is extracted from the age-old sea beds of the Punjab region of Pakistan. It has around 84 trace minerals, with the major ones being Magnesium, Calcium, and Potassium.
They add up to the earthy flavour and its beautiful pink rosy shade, which gives it an exotic look.
It’s quite expensive due to its limited availability. The prices can be almost 20 times more expensive than the regular table salt we consume.
How did this trend get on?
Sources say a wellness influencer on TikTok, who shared weight loss tips for women above 40, brought this trend to the surface in 2025. Now it’s all over YouTube, TikTok, and wellness blogs with no actual scientific evidence or basis around it.
Some of them feature deepfake AI videos of celebrities like Oprah Winfrey recommending it from her own experience.
A glass of water and a pinch of the magic salt… Voilaaa
And you just lose those hefty pounds (at least this is what social media shows)
This can vary, with people adding lemon, apple cider vinegar, pepper, or honey.
What social media claims about pink salt?
This tonic asserts that adding it to one’s morning routine would show a significant weight decline.
People report that they felt “better and lighter” after a few days of regular use.
Whereas on a survey by Eat Well, netizens also felt “it just made their digestion better, with no drop in the scale”.
What do the facts say, and how the review of pink salt?
We should know that what matters are the facts and scientific studies.
The pink salt is known to
- aid digestion,
- support hydration
- provide trace minerals (the quantity is pretty low- just as the term suggests)
- balance electrolytes (in small amounts)
This generally creates a feeling of lightness in the user as the early morning intake ensures better digestion and hence reduced bloating levels.
Enhanced bowel movements and an increase in the acidity of the gut are all factors that come into effect when one consumes this detoxifying water.
It can also act as a mild laxative to flush out the intestines when consumed in a slightly larger amount.
- Nutritional Comparison
Doing a tabular comparison of table salt and pink salt based on their nutritional value, using data from Radcliffelabs, will give a clear picture of using pink salt over the “regular” salt
| Minerals | Table Salt | Himalayan Salt |
| Sodium | 39.1% | 36.8% |
| Potassium | 0.09% | 0.28% |
| Magnesium | 0.01% | 0.1% |
| Iron | 0.01% | 0.0004% |
| Iodine | 45-60 mg/ 100mg | Very low amount |
Even though pink salt falls behind in terms of sodium, it clearly leads when it comes to other minerals.
Something which came to my notice was the iodine levels. Table salt has added iodine to keep conditions like goitre at bay, so it gets a plus point here. This makes it suitable for use in our regular diet.
Pink salt for the added minerals and low sodium.
Table salt contains iodine, which is found sparingly in our diet.
- Potential Health Risks
You might already be well aware of the fact that high sodium intake might pose harm to your body and lead to several health complications.
Anything taken in excess is never the right way to approach these methods.
Osmosis directs us to water retention, which simply means a bloated belly and puffy features.
Taken in regular high amounts would hike up the sodium levels. The effects are as follows:
- Hypertension
- Stroke
- Left Ventricular Hypertrophy: basically means that the main pumping chamber thickens and increases the chance of heart failure
- Kidney damage and weak output: strains the working and eventually causes permanent harm in the long run
- Bone strength erodes: raised sodium levels cause calcium levels to leach out through urine
The US Dietary Guidelines suggest 2300 mg per day as the maximum sodium intake. This limit slightly declines to 2000 mg per day as per the WHO.
Anything between that should be fine if we look at the data provided.
Honest Review of Pink Salt:
The benefits of Pink salt really depend on what you expect from it.
If you want better digestion, hydration, or a natural electrolyte balance, you’ve got the right remedy.
But if you are someone who’s looking for authentic ways to lose your excess weight, it may not be the best choice.
There’s no proven research or medical study showing the desired physiological results.
Yes, it has added minerals, low sodium, and carries a gourmet salt reputation. But it’s important to know that mineral proportion is negligible for daily use (unless one were to consume seasoning in place of staple food).
It’s a once-in-a-while pick for an aesthetic touch to your routine, but in my view, it doesn’t quite live up to its internet reputation.
Conclusion
The Himalayan salt diet is just one of those social media marketing fads that aim at tricking users into buying these premium-priced products and mislead them into following unverified lifestyle tips. If losing weight is your real goal, there are better options around the web that might satisfy your needs.
Pink salt isn’t dangerous — but it’s definitely not the miracle social media makes it out to be.
FAQS
Q. How to make this drink?
A glass of water (preferably warm)
A pinch of Himalayan Pink Salt
OPTIONAL INGREDIENTS
- Lemon: 2 tablespoons
- Apple cider Vinegar: 1 tablespoon
- Pepper
- Honey: 2 tablespoons
Q. Is the Pink salt trick safe?
Yes, it’s 100% safe, if taken in medically prescribed amounts, i.e., 2300 mg per day.
It does not trigger any dangerous side effects. Just make sure not to consume it more than necessary for the trace minerals, and you’ll be fine.
Q. How does it differ from table salt?
It has 3% lower sodium content, along with higher mineral shares.
It has around 84 minerals present in it, though it’s in very small concentrations, it’s higher than table salt.
Since it doesn’t undergo iodization, the amount of iodine in it is next to negligible.
Q. Do I get extra minerals from the pink salt hack?
We do get these nutrients, it’s just that the quantity is too less for the body to absorb.
One would need to ingest handfuls of it in just a single day, which would disrupt
The proper functioning and cause severe dehydration.
Q. Should I use pink salt to lose weight?
No scientific studies have proven it yet, that it aids in weight loss.
It’s better not to waste effort on such false notions.