Best Non-Toxic Salt Without Heavy Metals

Is your salt toxic? A recent study by Mamavation revealed that many popular salt brands contain detectable levels of heavy metals such as aluminum, arsenic, cadmium, and lead. Since salt plays a crucial role in health and flavor and even small amounts can bioaccumulate and lead to health concerns, making sure your salt is clean is especially important on ancestral and animal-based diets.

To help you make informed choices, here are some salt products that were categorized as “best” in the study due to their lower levels of heavy metals:

Morton Iodized Sea Salt

A widely available option, Morton Iodized Sea Salt is enriched with potassium iodide to help prevent deficiencies. Potassium iodide is a stable form of iodine that the body can readily absorb and use for thyroid function. Morton Iodized Sea Salt was found to have lower levels of heavy metals compared to other brands tested with non-detectable levels of 4 out of the 5 metals tested for. It’s a refined sea salt that dissolves quickly and is ideal for everyday cooking.

Maldon Sea Salt Flakes

From the coastal town of Maldon since 1882, these soft, crunchy flakes add great texture to meals. The Mamavation study found it to have lower concentrations of heavy metals, with 3 out of 5 metals at non-detectable levels, making it a safer choice for seasoning your meals.

Diamond Crystal Kosher Salt

Preferred by many chefs for its light texture and ease of use, Diamond Crystal Kosher Salt also ranked best in the study, showing non-detectable levels of all heavy metal contaminants. It’s versatile and can be used in various cooking applications.

Other Considerations for the Best Salt

Salt helps you to stay hydrated as well as helping to bring out the best in your food. Animal-based eaters especially go through a lot of salt, making it doubly important to make sure our salt is clean and healthy.

Besides ensuring it's not high in heavy metals, a few more considerations can help you choose the best quality clean salt:

1. Iodide Content

Iodine is essential for thyroid function, and while some salts are iodized to prevent deficiencies, others, like sea salt and Himalayan pink salt, do not contribute to a diet lacking sufficient iodine. If your dietary intake of iodine-rich foods (e.g., seafood, dairy) is low, opting for iodized salt can help maintain adequate iodine levels. 

2. Mineral Composition

Different salts contain varying trace minerals that can influence both flavor and nutritional value. For instance, Himalayan pink salt offers minerals like potassium and magnesium, which may support overall well-being.

3. Processing and Additives

Unrefined salts typically retain their natural mineral content and lack additives, whereas refined salts may include anti-caking agents or be stripped of beneficial minerals. Choosing minimally processed salts can provide a more natural mineral profile.

4. Flavor and Texture

The choice of salt can affect the taste and mouthfeel of your meals. Sea salts and specialty salts offer distinct flavors and textures that can enhance your culinary experience. 

Additional Tips

• Source Transparency: Opt for brands that provide detailed information about their sourcing and processing methods.

• Third-Party Testing: Choose salts that have been tested by independent laboratories for contaminants.

• Moderation: Regardless of the brand, using salt in moderation can help to minimize potential exposure to heavy metals.

Which Non-Toxic Salt is Best?

Consider your goals—is taste most important to you? Do you want to add iodine to your diet, or is avoiding heavy metals your top priority?

While all salts may contain trace amounts of heavy metals, selecting brands with lower concentrations can help reduce your exposure. For my family, we use Diamond Crystal Kosher Salt most often, and Morton Iodized Sea Salt in moderation to increase our iodine intake.

For a comprehensive analysis and more information, refer to Mamavation’s study.