- With Mayo Clinic nutritionist
Katherine Zeratsky, R.D., L.D.
read biographyclose windowBiography of
Katherine Zeratsky, R.D., L.D.
Katherine Zeratsky, R.D., L.D.
As a specialty editor for the Food & Nutrition Center, Katherine Zeratsky helps you sort through the facts and figures, the fads and the hype to learn more about nutrition and diet.
A Marinette, Wis., native, she is certified in dietetics by the state of Minnesota and the American Dietetic Association. She has been with Mayo Clinic since 1999.
She is active in nutrition-related curriculum and course development in pediatrics at Mayo Clinic Rochester and nutrition education related to the physiology and recommended intakes for premature infants.
Other areas of interest include breast milk and formula safety, neonatal feeding, and nutrition for breast-feeding mothers.
She graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, served a dietetic internship at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, and worked as a registered dietitian and health risk counselor at ThedaCare of Appleton, Wis., before joining the Mayo Clinic staff.
More answers
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- Water softeners: How much sodium do they add?
- Fiber supplements: Are they safe to take every day?
- Olive oil: What are the health benefits?
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- Canola oil: Does it contain toxins?
- Dietary supplements vs. food: Which is better?
- E. coli: How can I tell if food is contaminated?
- Roasting nuts: Lower fat by roasting in the shell?
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- Water after meals: Does it disturb digestion?
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- Monosodium glutamate (MSG): Is it harmful?
- Canned pumpkin: Better than fresh?
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- Vitamin water: Better than plain water?
- Diet soda: Is it bad for you?
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- Caffeine: Is it dehydrating or not?
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- Lentils: How do I cook with them?
- see all
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Question
Sea salt vs. table salt: Which is better?
Is sea salt better for you than table salt?
Answer
from Katherine Zeratsky, R.D., L.D.
Sea salt and table salt have the same nutritional value. The real differences between sea salt and table salt are in their taste and texture.
Sea salt is harvested from seawater through evaporation. Table salt is typically from rock salt, which is mined from mineral deposits. Both types of salt can be fully refined, and the end result is pure sodium chloride. Variations in the refining process result in different forms of salt.
Table salt is a fine-grained salt that often contains added iodine (iodized salt). Iodine is necessary for normal thyroid function. Some table salt may also contain anti-caking ingredient.
Sea salt is available in fine or coarse grain. Sea salt has a slightly different taste than table salt because of different minerals it contains. Many people prefer sea salt to table salt because they claim it has a more subtle flavor. Sea salt doesn't contain iodine or any other additives. However, if you use sea salt you typically don't have to worry about not getting enough iodine in your diet because iodine is available in many other foods, including dairy products, seafood and many processed foods.
If you favor foods with fewer additives, you may prefer sea salt. But there's no evidence that the additives in table salt are harmful to your health. Although your body needs some sodium to function properly, most people eat too much, which can lead to high blood pressure. Whether you use sea salt, table salt or some other type of salt, most experts recommend between 1,500 and 2,300 milligrams of sodium a day for healthy adults.
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