Not only does salt add flavor and zest to your favorite dishes, but it also has quite a few benefits for your health. Unfortunately, though, recent research shows that the salt you sprinkle on your food might contain something less than desirable: microplastics. Keep reading to learn more about microplastics in salt, including how they may affect your body and where to find salt without microplastics.

What’s the Deal with Microplastics?

Before we dive into the relationship between microplastics and salt, let’s quickly explain what microplastics are. In short, microplastics are tiny plastic fragments that form when bigger items — such as plastic cups or bottles — break down.

Exactly how microplastics impact human health is still being studied. However, research has uncovered that these plastics can be “absorbed, ingested, or inhaled into the human body through the skin, gastrointestinal system, or lungs.” When microplastics enter the body, they “can physically block the digestive system, stimulate the mucous membrane, and injure it.”

Microplastics may also have other detrimental effects on the body, such as increased inflammation and blood pressure. In addition, they may be harmful for other bodily systems, including the reproductive, respiratory, and endocrine systems.

Does Salt Contain Microplastics?

Because microplastics can enter the body through the digestive system, there are concerns about the presence of these plastic particles in our food, drinks, and other edible goods. 

Sadly, research has found that microplastics are, in fact, in many of these products. Specifically, recent findings highlight the discovery of sea salt microplastics, which is particularly concerning because salt is one of the most commonly used ingredients in the world.

According to a study published in Environmental Science & Technology, more than 90% of the world’s salts contain plastic fragments. The research found that the highest concentration of these contaminants is found in sea salt, followed by lake salt and rock salt. The findings were based on an analysis of 39 salt brands from 21 countries across the world, including Australia, China, South Korea, and the U.S. 

These findings are a significant concern given that ocean plastic pollution is expected to quadruple by 2050. It’s no wonder that some experts have compared the threat of plastic pollution to climate change, as it is affecting multiple aspects of our lives.

Is It Possible to Find Microplastic-Free Salt?

If you’re hoping to reduce your exposure to microplastics, then this research may feel a bit unsettling. However, there is some good news: You can find microplastic-free salt on the market today — and it’s known as bamboo salt.

Bamboo salt, which is also called Korean bamboo salt, is a unique variety of mineral-rich salt that’s unlike any other in the world. One of the biggest differences between bamboo salt and other types of salt is how bamboo salt is made. 

Specifically, bamboo salt is produced in small batches from salt that’s hand-collected from the coast of South Korea. From there, it’s stuffed into bamboo stalks and roasted multiple times over a scorching-hot pinewood fire. During that process, microplastics and other harmful compounds are eliminated.

Enjoy Microplastic-Free Bamboo Salt

Recognized as the highest-quality salt on the planet, bamboo salt offers a long list of health benefits. If you’re curious to try it for yourself, visit the PIOR Living online shop today.