Korea Bamboo Salt: A Healthy Alternative

Originating from Korea, bamboo salt is sea salt burnt in pinewood fire. Sea salt is burnt for eight times; on the ninth time, the salt is melted at above 1,300 degrees Celsius. After it is cooled, it becomes like rock crystals. The finished product comes in different forms: fine, coarse, granule, grain, powder.

Sea salts have impurities, for example: magnesium chloride, magnesium bromide, magnesium sulphate—components which are not ideal for health. Taking into consideration the pollution of the ocean as a modern phenomenon, it is necessary to consider the contaminants and harmful chemical components which are present in the sea salt.

According to Park Si-woo, president of Koreasalt Co. Ltd., “The first reason is to remove some impurities in sea salt. And second, there are some useful minerals in bamboo that can be absorbed into sea salt when heated at such high temperature. So, we can enhance the mineral content in sea salt. Thirdly, it is possible to change the property of salt.”

A wide range of salts are available on the consumer market—such as rock salt, lake salt, table salt—which exist in the acidic state. When sea salt is roasted repeatedly, it is possible to change it from the acidic to alkaline state—which is more ideal for the body than in the acidic form.

Demonstrating the process, Mr Park used two prepared solutions—one of sea salt and another of bamboo salt. When a rusted nail is put into each solution, the nail contained in the sea salt solution continued to rust via oxidation reaction, whereas that in the bamboo salt solution had its rust removed through the reduction potential of the solution.

Using a pH indicator, the president of Koreasalt also displayed results that were indicative of the previous experiment. While common sea salt yielded a pH of about 6, the bamboo salt solution gave a pH reading of about 10—substantially alkali in nature.

What Are The Implications Of This Result?

Modern day diet is composed heavily of food acidic in nature. According to Mr Park, it is therefore essential to balance both acidic and alkali foods.

Minerals are important materials for the human body. However in recent times, due to the rise in chronic, non-communicable diseases in our midst, people often relate the consumption of salts to an increasing risk of hypertension. Yet, “Different salts have different effects on our bodies, and bamboo salt has many kinds of minerals as shown,” says Mr Park.  Citing existing studies, publications of Koreasalt have also held that salt consumption is not a cause of—or at least, not solely—hypertension.

Apart from using bamboo salt to supplement diet with a vast range of minerals crucial to physiological functions, he also recommends that people use bamboo salt to treat high blood pressure. This is because when bamboo salt is analysed, it is found to contain more than double the potassium level of solar salt—increased to 12,280 ppm.

Currently, there are a significant number of ongoing studies on the anti-hypertensive property of potassium. Unlike sodium, potassium helps in activating the sodium potassium pump—which in turn induces vasodilation and lowers blood pressure.

Hypochlorite as a result of water purification can be problematic to health. Bamboo salt causes a reduction reaction of hypochlorite into chloride ions and water—both harmless the human body. This is an advantage compared to refined salt and solar salt, which have no such effect.

Based on Koreasalt’s research, bamboo salt is a bioactive substance which is an antioxidant, with the capability to detoxify the system, enhance immune functions and prevent various diseases.

How To Use Bamboo Salt?

Bamboo salt grain: These rice-sized grains can be carried and consumed like candies. It tastes salty, but can be accustomed to. It also serves to refresh the mouth, and can easily be appealing to both adult and children.

Bamboo salt powder: In this state, it can be added to drinking water and tea, then consumed for functions like detoxifying alcohol and relieving hangovers. As toothpaste, it has anti-inflammatory properties, massaging the gums and strengthening the teeth.

Bamboo salt saturated solution: It is the most salty in this state—depending on the level of dilution by the user. Mainly used for cleansing—such as a mouth rinse or hair wash, it can also be used as a seasoning in soups and stews.