Some people regularly struggle with bloating. They are always on the lookout for quick fixes to deal with it. One such fix is drinking warm water and black salt on an empty stomach in the morning. Is this morning drink actually effective or just another fad diet? We interacted with a top dietitian to understand whether black salt and warm water can actually cure your bloating permanently or not.
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Let us take a look at whatMs Edwina Raj, Head of Services, Clinical Nutrition and Dietetics, Aster CMI Hospital, Bangalore,has to say about this.
Can Warm Water With Black Salt Cure Bloating ?
Ms Raj says that drinking warm water with a small amount of black salt may make some people feel temporarily better when they are bloated. She adds, “This is mainly because drinking fluids can support normal digestion and bowel movements.” But can it cure bloating permanently? Answering this, the expert says, “There is no good evidence that this drink can permanently cure bloating, especially when bloating keeps coming back.”
Shedding more light on this, Ms Raj says, “Bloating can have many causes, including eating too quickly, swallowing air, constipation, gas-producing foods, overeating, food intolerance, indigestion, irritable bowel syndrome and hormonal changes. So simply adding black salt to warm water does not address the underlying cause. In fact, consuming too much salt regularly can increase sodium intake and may be harmful for people with high blood pressure, kidney problems or certain heart conditions.”
Health Benefits and Side Effects of Black Salt
A2020 study, published in theScience of The Total Environment journal, discovered that black salt is packed with important health benefits. One of the biggest findings was that it acts as an antioxidant. This means it can help shield your body’s cells from everyday damage and stress.
The research also showed that black salt has less sodium, when compared to regular sea salt and even Himalayan pink salt. Since it has lower sodium, this makes it a much healthier choice for your heart and overall health. Moreover, black salt is loaded with essential minerals such as iron, calcium, and magnesium. All these minerals are needed by your body to function well.
When it comes to side effects, this specific study stated that because it is still a type of salt, you have to be careful not to consume it in excess. Eating huge amounts of any salt can cause high blood pressure over time. This can also cause your body to retain too much water, making you feel puffy. Therefore, while black salt is a better option, it should still be consumed in moderation to avoid common salt-related health issues.
Is Black Salt Good For Overall Gut Health?
So is black salt actually good for your overall gut health? Theaforementioned studydid not directly examine whether salt is good or bad for the human digestive system. Despite this, the findings shared good points about why this dark-coloured salt may be beneficial to your gut health.
The study notes that the magnesium is found in black salt. This mineral is known to help keep your digestive tract moving smoothly. The salt’s antioxidant properties can calm down irritation and swelling in your gut. Traditional medicine has used black salt to cure bloating for many years. This study helps explain how the rich blend of natural minerals present in the salt helps your body’s overall balance, which is extremely beneficial for digestion. Ultimately, the study concludes that adding a little black salt to your diet is a healthy way to support your stomach and overall wellness.
Tips To Treat Bloating
Ms Raj says that if bloating happens occasionally, adopt simple habits such as:
- Eating slowly.
- Drinking enough plain water.
- Staying physically active.
- Avoiding large meals.
- Identifying foods that trigger symptoms may help.
“Persistent, severe or worsening bloating should not be treated with home remedies alone, particularly when it occurs with unexplained weight loss, vomiting, blood in the stool, persistent abdominal pain, difficulty swallowing or a major change in bowel habits. These symptoms need medical evaluation,” concludes the expert.
ALSO READ- Can a High Protein Diet Cause Bloating? Dietitian Explains
Drinking warm water with black salt can provide temporary relief and deliver beneficial minerals. However, it is not a permanent cure for digestive issues. Bloating often happens because of underlying factors such as dietary habits, food intolerances, or medical conditions that this simple home remedy cannot fully address. To conclude, you can enjoy black salt in moderation for its overall health benefits. But chronic or severe bloating should always be evaluated by a medical professional.
Who should not use black salt?
Certain people should limit or avoid black salt (kala namak) because it contains sodium, sulfur, and trace minerals like fluoride, and lacks iodine.
Is black salt good for gastritis?
Black salt (kala namak) can help with mild indigestion and bloating, but it is not a proven treatment for gastritis and can irritate the stomach lining if used in excess.
