Basic Facts About Unrefined Salt

• Unrefined salt is often called sea salt. It is composed of 84 percent sodium chloride and 16 percent other minerals. Because of these other minerals, unrefined salt can have a grainy texture and is not usually pure white. By comparison, refined salt is 97.5 percent sodium chloride.

Where Unrefined Salt Comes From

• All unrefined salt comes from the sea. It can either come from freshly dried seawater or can be harvested from inland sources where oceans existed in ancient times and old seabeds remain in rock form.

Identifying Unrefined Salt

• Salt that is unrefined will be labeled as such on the package. Sea salt and Kosher salt are likely refined if the word "unrefined" does not appear on the packaging.

Why Unrefined Salt is Healthier

• Unrefined salt provides more nutritional value and can actually be good for you due to the 16 percent other minerals that are found in it. It helps to balance your body's electrolytes and supplies 92 vital trace minerals.