Can you eat Himalayan salt lamps?
By
Dr Anny Manrich (PhD)
Author bio
Dr Anny Manrich PhD is a food Engineer with expertise in Food Technology, Natural Polymers, Edible Films, Enzymes, and Nanotechnology. She writes and reviews content on these topics.
Dr Anny Manrich’s Highlights:
- Research and Technology at the Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation
- PhD in Chemical Engineering with a focus on Biochemistry at the Federal University of Sao Carlos/ Brazil and a one-year scholarship at the Technical University of Munich/ Germany
- Bachelor of Food Engineering at the University of Campinas/ Brazil and a one-year scholarship at the Technical University of Munich/ Germany
“To solve a problem, global vision and multifactorial understanding are necessary. Therefore, in addition to expertise, one should seek multidisciplinary thinking connected with science and reality” – Dr Anny Manrich, PhD.
Professional Experience:
Dr Anny Manrich’s Experience Joining the Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation, as soon as she completed her doctorate,
Dr Anny Manrich has worked on several projects, including the more than three-year partnership project with BRF, a major food producer in Brazil. As a postdoctoral fellow.
Dr Anny Manrich has also contributed to several business consultancies and research projects of the National Nanotechnology Laboratory System in areas such as food technology, fibres, films and coatings and Nanotechnology; in a very determined way, having a great team relationship, being creative and committed.
Growing concerns about the safe introduction of nanomaterials into today’s life emphasises the need to create regulatory documentation in front of characterising, using and testing them. Dr Anny Manrich worked for two years on a characterization project for nanoscale materials, with the aim of exploring their possible health effects.
Despite not having specific academic training in packaging or polymeric films, Dr Anny Manrich works at the Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation in areas of edible and biodegradable films produced from agricultural waste and in the development of films with greater resistance to water, having articles published in renowned scientific journals, which demonstrates her multidisciplinary understanding and creativity.
In addition, she worked for four years as a consultant to a food company to develop a line of snacks that are healthy and that add functional ingredients, physiologically active compounds that bring health benefits, made from fruits and vegetables, enabling diet improvement, disease prevention and reduction of nutritional deficiencies.
Dr Anny Manrich participated as a member of the examination board for two Master’s exams and one PhD exam at the Department of Chemical Engineering of the Federal University of São Carlos.
Education:
- 2001 Bachelor in Food Engineering at the State University of Campinas, Brazil
- 1999 One year scholarship at the Technical University of Munich
- 2004 Master in Chemical Engineering at the Federal University of São Carlos, Brazil
- 2012 PhD in Chemical Engineering at the Federal University of São Carlos, Brazil
- 2010 One year scholarship at the Technical University of Munich
The main publications of Dr. Anny Manrich are:
Articles
Manrich, A., Moreira, F. K., Otoni, C. G., Lorevice, M. V., Martins, M. A., & Mattoso, L. H. (2017). Hydrophobic edible films made up of tomato cutin and pectin. Carbohydrate Polymers, 164, 83-91.
Mendes, J. F., Norcino, L. B., Martins, H. H. A., Manrich, A., Otoni, C. G., Carvalho, E. E. N., … & Mattoso, L. H. C. (2020). Correlating emulsion characteristics with the properties of active starch films loaded with lemongrass essential oil. Food Hydrocolloids, 100, 105428.
Norcino, L. B., Mendes, J. F., Natarelli, C. V. L., Manrich, A., Oliveira, J. E., & Mattoso, L. H. C. (2020). Pectin films loaded with copaiba oil nanoemulsions for potential use as bio-based active packaging. Food Hydrocolloids, 106, 105862.
Manrich, Anny, et al. Immobilization of trypsin on chitosan gels: Use of different activation protocols and comparison with other supports. International Journal of Biological Macromolecules 43.1 (2008): 54-61.
Manrich, Anny; Komesu, Andrea ; Adriano, Wellington Sabino; Tardioli, Paulo Waldir ; Giordano, Raquel Lima Camargo . Immobilization and Stabilization of Xylanase by Multipoint Covalent Attachment on Agarose and on Chitosan Supports. Applied Biochemistry and Biotechnology, v. 161, p. 455-467, 2010.
Mendes, J. F., Martins, J. T., Manrich, A., Neto, A. S., Pinheiro, A. C. M., Mattoso, L. H. C., & Martins, M. A. (2019). Development and physical-chemical properties of pectin film reinforced with spent coffee grounds by continuous casting. Carbohydrate polymers, 210, 92-99..
Milessi, T. S., Kopp, W., Rojas, M. J., Manrich, A., Baptista-Neto, A., Tardioli, P. W., … & Giordano, R. L. (2016). Immobilization and stabilization of an endoxylanase from Bacillus subtilis (XynA) for xylooligosaccharides (XOs) production. Catalysis Today, 259, 130-139.
Mendes, J. F., Norcino, L. B., Manrich, A., Pinheiro, A. C. M., Oliveira, J. E., & Mattoso, L. H. C. (2020). Development, physical‐chemical properties, and photodegradation of pectin film reinforced with malt bagasse fibers by continuous casting. Journal of Applied Polymer Science, 137(39), 49178.
Mendes, J. F., Martins, J. T., Manrich, A., Luchesi, B. R., Dantas, A. P. S., Vanderlei, R. M., … & Martins, M. A. (2021). Thermo-physical and mechanical characteristics of composites based on high-density polyethylene (HDPE) e spent coffee grounds (SCG). Journal of Polymers and the Environment, 29, 2888-2900..
Mendes, J. F., Norcino, L. B., Martins, H. H., Manrich, A., Otoni, C. G., Carvalho, E. E. N., … & Mattoso, L. H. C. (2021). Development of quaternary nanocomposites made up of cassava starch, cocoa butter, lemongrass essential oil nanoemulsion, and brewery spent grain fibers. Journal of Food Science, 86(5), 1979-1996.
Manrich, A., Martins, M. A., & Mattoso, L. H. C. (2021). Manufacture and performance of peanut skin cellulose nanocrystals. Scientia Agricola, 79.
Nascimento, V. M., Manrich, A., Tardioli, P. W., de Campos Giordano, R., de Moraes Rocha, G. J., & Giordano, R. D. L. C. (2016). Alkaline pretreatment for practicable production of ethanol and xylooligosaccharides. Bioethanol, 2(1)..
Manrich, Anny, de Oliveira, J. E., Martins, M. A., & Mattoso, L. H. C. Physicochemical and Thermal Characterization of the Spirulina platensis. J. Agric. Sci. Technol. B, v. 10, p. 298-307, 2020.
Book Chapter
Terra, I. A. A., Aoki, P. H., Delezuk, J. A. D. M., Martins, M. A., Manrich, A., Silva, M. J., … & Miranda, P. B. (2022). Técnicas de Caracterização de Polímeros. Nanotecnologia Aplicada a Polímeros, 614.
Conference Papers
Ferreira, L. F., Luvizaro, L. B., Manrich, A., Martins, M. A., Júnior, M. G., & Dias, M. V. (2017). Comparação da estabilidade de suspensões poliméricas de amido/tocoferol e quitosana/tocoferol. In: CONGRESSO BRASILEIRO DE POLÍMEROS, 14., 2017, Águas de Lindóia, SP.
Manrich, A., Hubinger, S. Z., & Paris, E. C. (2017). Citotoxicidade causada por nanomateriais: avaliação do micronúcleo. In: WORKSHOP DA REDE DE NANOTECNOLOGIA APLICADA AO AGRONEGÓCIO, 9., 2017, São Carlos. Anais… São Carlos: Embrapa Instrumentação, 2017. p. 655-658.
Manrich, Anny, et al. Immobilization and Stabilization of Xylanase by multipoint covalent attachment on Glyoxyl Agarose Support. The 31st Symposium on Biotechnology for Fuels and Chemicals. 2009.
Manrich, Anny, et al. Application of immobilized xylanase on hydrolysis of soluble wood hemicelluloses after using microwave and organosolv pre-treatments. The 32nd Symposium on Biotechnology for Fuels and Chemicals. 2010.
You can view some of Dr Anny’s work below and links to her professional profile.
Research Gate: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Anny-Manrich-2
Scopus: https://www.scopus.com/authid/detail.uri?authorId=23103497100
Google Scholar: https://scholar.google.com/citations?hl=en&user=Ea9qpr0AAAAJ
Linkedin: https://br.linkedin.com/in/anny-manrich-20693129
In this brief article, we will address the query, “Can you eat Himalayan salt lamp?” with a thorough analysis of the possible consequences of eating the Himalayan salt lamp.
Can you eat Himalayan salt lamps?
Yes, you can eat Himalayan salt lamps. It is even claimed by Patrick Ujszaszi of the Himalayan salt factory that it is also safe to lick the Himalayan salt lamp and there is no danger in licking it.
It is claimed that the Himalayan salt lamp does not consist of any chemicals, instead, it has more consistency of minerals as compared to white table salt.
Besides sodium and chlorine, himalayan salt contains sulfur, magnesium, potassium, calcium and iron (5).
The mining of rock salt and allied businesses play an important role in the economy of Pakistan and has a yearly production of about 3 500 000 metric tons. According to an estimate, 85% of the total rock salt production is utilized in the local industry, whereas less than 15% is exported as artifacts, tiles and for decorative purposes to the markets in Canada, the USA, Europe, and Australia (1).
Himalayan salt lamp
Himalayan salt lamps are manufactured by inserting a light bulb within the Pink Himalayan salt. This Pink Himalayan salt should be in the form of larger chunks. These Himalayan salt lamps have a different look and eliminate warm waves and also give a glow of pink colour when it is lightened.
The Himalayan salt lamp which is truly Himalayan is generally from the salt which is extracted or harvested from mines such as from Khewra salt Mine in Pakistan.
Salt which is being extracted from these areas is usually very old, assumed to be million years old. The salt which is extracted from those areas is quite similar to table salt. Table salt also consists of small particles which are pink in colour.
Many people like to buy these Himalayan salt lamps because they enjoy the ambience which is generally produced by pink salt in their homes or they might also choose these Himalayan salt lamps due to the relaxing and pleasant look which is given by these lamps.
How do these Himalayan salt lamps work?
Salt lamps also provide several health benefits which may include:
Himalayan salt lamps are a powerhouse of Natural ionizers. These natural ionizers play a significant role in altering the electrical charge which circulates in the air.
Ions are those compounds that consist of an unbalanced number of electrons or protons. These ions are generally produced in the air when any of the changes take place in the environment. For example during the production of waves, waterfalls, storms, in the process of natural radioactivity, and also due to heat. These all mentioned processes can produce air ions.
These air ions may also be created through the artificial process along with commercial production. It is also the purpose that Himalayan salt lamps can generate ions by the attraction of evaporated water particles which are released in form of salt solution on giving the heat by the lamp.
These ions which are formed mostly on heating as a salt solution are termed negative ions. But this theory of ion production has not been cleared yet.
It is claimed that rock salt lamps serve as natural air ionizers that can remove harmful ions from the air we breathe. These lamps can help if you have respiratory issues, such as asthma and bronchitis, by removing ions in the air that are harmful to inhale (3).
The health claims about the Himalayan salt lamp
Majorly three main claims are made about Himalayan salt lamps which are described below:
They improve air quality
Salt lamps are often recommended as an improver of air quality. It is prescribed for those people who are suffering from an illness including asthma, allergies.
There is no scientific research till now that describes the health benefits of Himalayan salt lamps for improving the air quality and removing pathogenic materials from the air.
Depending on the size and the surface area of the Salt Crystal lamp the purification of surrounding air takes place during the transformation cycle in water attraction and evaporation, involving hydrogen and oxygen, as well as sodium and chloride, resulting in significant purification of air (4).
This is also claimed that it is also one of the good things for those who suffer from a respiratory condition which is partly based on the prime practice of halotherapy.
They can boost your mood
Boosting mood conditions is one of the most frequently claimed factors.
Some research stated that when there is more content of negative ions in the air it can enhance the serotonin level. Serotonin is a chemical that is involved in the regulation of mood swings.
It is also claimed for those humans who are constantly in a depressed phase that their mood is also regulated due to a high level of negative ions in the environment.
However, according to studies, no consistent influence of positive or negative air ionization on anxiety, mood, relaxation, sleep, and personal comfort measures was observed. Negative air ionization was associated with lower depression scores particularly at the highest exposure level. Future research is needed to evaluate the biological plausibility of this association (2).
They can help you with a better sleep
Himalayan salt lamps affect the regulation of the sleep cycle.
But still, this is also not proven scientifically through any research or publications.
Dangers associated with Himalayan salt lamps
- Himalayan salt lamps may cause corrosion of the furniture below it if not used correctly
- They can also pose a threat to the pets in your house since both dogs and cats can become sick by salt toxicity.
Conclusion
In this brief article, we have provided an answer to the question, “Can you eat a Himalayan salt lamp?” with a thorough analysis of the consequences of eating a Himalayan salt lamp, the uses and benefits of a Himalayan salt lamp.
References
- Majeed, Y., et al. Block extraction of Himalayan rock salt by applying conventional dimension stone quarrying techniques. J Mining Sci, 2019, 55, 610-625.
- Perez, Vanessa, Dominik D. Alexander, and William H. Bailey. Air ions and mood outcomes: a review and meta-analysis. BMC psychiatry, 2013, 13, 1-20.
- Sarker, Apurbo, et al. Halite; The rock salt: Enormous health benefits. World J Pharmaceut Res, 2016, 5, 407-416.
- Naz, Hajra, and Darakhshan J. Haleem. Exposure to illuminated salt lamp increases 5-HT metabolism: A serotonergic perspective to its beneficial effects. Pak. J. Biochem. Mol. Biol, 2010, 43, 105-108.
- Fayet-Moore, Flavia, et al. An analysis of the mineral composition of pink salt available in Australia. Foods, 2020, 9, 1490.
