The #1 Salt for Blood Pressure: Which Salt Is Truly Heart-Healthy?
We’ve all heard the warning: “Salt is bad for blood pressure.” But the truth is more nuanced. While excess refined table salt can raise blood pressure, some naturally harvested, mineral-rich salts may actually support cardiovascular health by helping balance electrolytes and improve hydration.
So which salt is the best for blood pressure? Let’s compare the most common options and identify which truly qualifies as a “heart-healthy salt.”
1. Mexican Salt
Description: Harvested from coastal regions such as Sal de Mar and Flor de Sal, Mexican salt is minimally processed and often sun-dried.
Benefits:
- Contains natural minerals including magnesium, calcium, and potassium.
- Traditional harvesting methods help preserve mineral content.
- Complex flavor allows you to use less overall salt without sacrificing taste.
2. Celtic Sea Salt
Description: Harvested from tidal ponds in Brittany, France, Celtic sea salt is recognizable by its gray color.
Benefits:
- Rich in essential minerals that support heart and nerve function.
- Helps maintain fluid and electrolyte balance.
- Minimal processing keeps it close to its natural state.
3. Himalayan Salt
Description: Mined from ancient deposits in the Himalayas, its pink hue comes from trace iron and minerals.
Benefits:
- Contains over 80 trace minerals, including magnesium and calcium.
- Supports electrolyte balance.
- Less processed than table salt, though often overhyped in marketing.
4. Kosher Salt
Description: Large crystal salt used in traditional koshering of meat.
Benefits:
- Coarse texture makes it easy to control in cooking.
- Because of its larger grains, you may use less by weight compared to fine salts.
5. Table Salt
Description: Refined, bleached, and often treated with anti-caking agents. Usually fortified with iodine.
Benefits:
- Consistent fine texture, dissolves easily.
- Provides iodine, which is essential for thyroid health.
Drawback: Highly refined and stripped of minerals, making it less supportive of overall cardiovascular balance compared with natural salts.
So, What’s the Best Salt for Blood Pressure?
The answer is Celtic sea salt. Its high mineral content (magnesium, calcium, potassium) helps balance sodium and support blood pressure regulation. Unlike refined table salt, it provides a spectrum of electrolytes that nourish the cardiovascular system.
Experts even consider Celtic sea salt among the “world’s tastiest salts”, meaning you can use less and still enjoy your food.
Explore the PureClean Performance formulary to see how we incorporate natural minerals and electrolytes into our performance nutrition protocols.
Why Minerals Matter for Heart Health
Natural salts are more than just sodium—they provide trace minerals that support hydration, nerve signaling, and blood vessel function. Balanced electrolytes can:
- Improve vascular tone and circulation.
- Support recovery from exercise and stress.
- Reduce the risk of imbalances linked to hypertension.
About Dr. Rick Cohen
Dr. Rick Cohen, creator of PureClean Performance®, has spent more than two decades at the forefront of nutritional medicine and sports performance. His protocols emphasize mineral balance, nitric oxide optimization, and mitochondrial health as core strategies for long-term resilience.
Continue exploring: Ask Dr. Cohen Blog Series
The Highest Bar. Life Elevated. PureClean Performance