"Should I Only Eat Pink Salt?" and Answers to Other Weird Health Fad Questions

Should I only eat pink salt?

It's certainly a prettier variety but is pink Himalayan salt actually healthier for us than just regular sea salt? The claim is that Himalayan salt contains 84 minerals and trace minerals - including iodine - and is therefore much healthier than sea salt. But with daily recommended sodium intakes of less than 2300mg, the amount of mineral is too minuscule to actually make a difference plus we already get plenty of the same trace minerals from other foods. I'd stick to regular sea salt.

Why is everyone swishing coconut oil around their mouths?

Ah, oil pulling. Possibly the strangest health fad ever if only because of how dumb it looks. Oil pulling, also known as "kavala" or "gundusha," is an ancient Ayurvedic dental technique that involves swishing a tablespoon of oil in your mouth on an empty stomach for around 20 minutes. This action supposedly draws out toxins in your body, primarily to improve oral health but also to improve your overall health.

The thing with oil pulling is, it's not magic coconut oil doing magic things. It's your mouth that is magic!  Oil pulling does in fact deliver on some of its promises - at least one study has shown it significantly reduces the bacteria that causes cavities. This is because the friction created by oil (any kind of oil) has a soap-like effect in your mouth, 'pulling' up some of the bacteria that you then spit out. But if you have serious dental problems, gingivitis or gum disease - it's a dentist, not a tablespoon of coconut oil, that you need.

Is kimchi really worth the hype?

Fermented vegetables are everywhere! Kimchi (fermented cabbage), has gained a lot of traction lately, but is it actually that good for you...? Turns out, yes it is.

Not only is kimchi is loaded with vitamins A, B, and C, but its biggest benefit lies with the "healthy bacteria" lactobacilli that is found in all fermented foods. If dairy yoghurt is not part of your meal plan, then fermented foods like kimchi and sauerkraut are the best way for you to get the gut-healthy bacteria into your system and super-charge your digestive health!

Coconut water? Cactus water? Watermelon water? REGULAR WATER?!
Ah, the plant water craze! While Beyonce is busy endorsing the health benefits of watermelon water, aloe vera water has suddenly replaced all the coconut water on our shelves and we can't help but wonder - is this really any healthier than regular h20?!

At the end of the day, the health benefits of these plant waters are associated with the plants they come from so obviously there's vitamins to be found in them. But unless you particularly love the taste, there's no real reason to splurge on more expensive plant waters if the aim of your game is just to stay hydrated.