Can You Use Epsom Salt for Weight Loss?

February 08, 2023 Julia Davis

Weight loss can be quite difficult especially when you have no intention of cutting off certain diets.

To lose weight requires dedication and consistency, however, other methods have proven more effective than the rest.

Weight gain on the other hand is a very easy process; emotional eating, bad sleep habits, and unhealthy lifestyles can accelerate your body weight.

However, most people believe that Epsom salt (magnesium sulfate) plays an important role in weight loss, but how true is that?

Let's find out!

Can Epsom Salt Bath Help Lose Weight?

Epsom salt in itself cannot help you lose weight, but an Epsom salt bath might just be what you need to shed that extra fat.

First things first, you need to know that Epsom salt isn't your ideal table salt as they have different chemical compounds, plus Epsom salt has a high percentage of magnesium, oxygen, and sulfur. Yes, it's generally underestimated, but with the right amount of Epsom salt in your bath water, you'll enjoy a lot of its health benefits.

The intake of magnesium helps increase the body's metabolism and facilitates the flushing out of excess toxins. So, what better way to get this done than taking Epsom salt bath?

You can either decide to have a hot bath infused with Epsom salt or simply use warm water and allow your skin to absorb it. Either way, the Epsom salt detox works when you allow it to penetrate your skin.

There's no scientific evidence to back up the effectiveness of an Epsom bath in losing a few stubborn pounds, but it's definitely worth trying, not to mention the numerous benefits of Epsom salt bath you stand to gain.

What Can Epsom Salt (Magnesium Sulfate) Do For You?

Your body can absorb magnesium and when that happens, it helps a lot not just with weight management, but weight loss as well.

Other benefits of Epsom salt include;

Easing sore muscles and muscle pain
It enhances skin hydration
Epsom salt is a laxative, so drinking Epsom salt is recommended, but be cautious to avoid magnesium overdose
Epsom salt baths can help with blood circulation and protect the nervous system

At the end of the day, Epsom salt is not only known for its calorie-burning capacity, but also for how it aids in promoting a healthy lifestyle.

Magnesium

Magnesium is important for your body's development, and it's necessary to keep your magnesium levels balanced. People take magnesium supplements when they notice there's a deficit; however you can't substitute Epsom salts for these supplements.

While it's true that Epsom salt contains a high amount of magnesium, dissolving 1 or two cups of Epsom salt into your drinking water is way too much and might cause complications; we'd discuss that soon.

Benefits of magnesium include:

Magnesium is a micro-mineral essential that aids in detoxification and prevents kidney disease
It helps reduce your risk of constipation by getting rid of water weight
Aids in flushing out heavy metals from the body and lowers the risk of metabolic syndrome
Helps reduce the risk of developing high blood pressure
Regulate blood sugar levels

Symptoms of magnesium deficiency include:

Loss of appetite
Muscle spasms
Blurred vision
Low blood pressure

Sulfate

Epsom salt also referred to as magnesium sulphate contains a high amount of sulfate, and this micronutrient is commonly ignored by a lot of people.

Sulfate deficiency is a major cause of many health complications, and this can be prevented by infusing Epsom salt into your bathtub and taking a short soak.

A few benefits of sulfates are:

Helps prevent blood from coagulating
Aids in detoxifying food additives and toxins
Improves joint health, thereby aiding in relieving joint pain
Helps support the brain tissues
Promotes weight loss

Symptoms of sulfates deficiency include:

Obesity
Heart disease
Fatigue

How to Make an Epsom Salt Bath?

With Epsom salt baths, you can freestyle the preparation process and still enjoy its numerous benefits. Taking Epsom salt internally isn't 100% advisable because you need to be careful, so you don't overdose.

Taking an Epsom salt bath with warm or hot water will give a relaxing feeling, and can even help with mild cases of depression.

Ginger And Epsom Salt

Ginger itself has remarkable healing properties, and most people use it to relieve soreness in the throat.

The ginger and Epsom salt bath is a detox bath, that has the potential benefits of treating cold-like symptoms and even boosting your mood.

For this detox bath;

Fill your bathtub with hot water
Put in one cup of Epsom salt, 4 tbs of grounded ginger, 1/2 baking soda, and one tablespoon of essential oil (preferably lavender or eucalyptus)
Mix all the ingredients inside your bath water, and soak for 20 minutes
If you have muscle aches, you can stay for as long as 30 minutes
However, if you are feeling too hot before 20 minutes, leave the tub.

Remember, this detoxifying bath shouldn't be done every day, to prevent dehydration.

Baking Soda And Epsom Salt

Baking soda which is also referred to as sodium bicarbonate is used to prevent muscle weakness and even as a remedy for different skin diseases.

Here's the recipe for making this bath;

Get 2 cups of baking soda and 1 cup of Epsom salt
Dissolve both ingredients in your warm water
Soak inside the warm bath for 30 minutes, especially if you have fibromyalgia

When you get out of the tub, pat your skin dry and use a body oil to moisturize your skin to prevent dryness.

However, avoid Epsom salt baths if you have diabetes unless your doctors are convinced you aren't putting yourself at risk. Pregnant women are not even advised to do this either, so it doesn't lead to complications.

Apple Cider Vinegar And Epsom Salt

Naturally, apple cider vinegar is one of the active ingredients in making a detoxifying bath. Some people believe consuming it orally can help with rapid weight loss, but there's no scientific research to back it up.

Consider taking an Epsom salt and vinegar bath when you feel the need to eliminate toxins from your body.

Here's how to do it;

Pour two cups of apple cider vinegar into your tub filled with warm water
Use your discretion, and add a little amount of Epsom salt
You can use a soft sponge to massage your joints, to release tension
Soak for about half an hour, and when the water starts to cool off, you can come out

This combination is perfect to ease anxiety and tension; you'll definitely feel a soothing relief immediately after you step your feet out of the tub.

Epsom Salt and Essential Oils

Essential oils are packed with many health benefits and rarely have adverse effects unless when used out of proportion.

Put one tbs of diluted essential oils into your bathtub
Add two cups of Epsom salt
Soaking for at least 20 minutes reduces inflammation in atopic dry skin while improving your overall health at the same time

You can try out this recipe if you need better sleep, and are having problems with relaxation.

Hot water immersion is always advised when you need to relax and ease stress, so what better way than to add little drops of oils like lavender, peppermint, and tea tree oil to the mix?

During pregnancy, avoid using essential oils when bathing, unless your doctor permits you to do so.

How Often Should You Take an Epsom Salt Bath?

You can have an Epsom salt bath twice a week. Alternatively, if you intend to ease sore muscles, get a small quantity of Epsom salt and eucalyptus oil, mix them to form an Epsom salt paste, and apply on the affected area.

Truly, your body needs all the nutrients it can get, and that's why eating a balanced diet is of utmost importance. However, don't use an Epsom salt bath to boost your low levels of magnesium.

What Are The Risks of Taking Too Many Epsom Salt Baths?

Your body needs healthy levels of magnesium to function properly, and when it becomes too much in your bloodstream, it could cause more harm than good.

Risks involved include;

Nausea and headaches
Diarrhea and uncontrollable bowel movement
In extreme cases, paralysis and coma
Dehydration from loss of body fluids

Conclusion

Epsom salt baths are necessary not just because they are active ingredients in weight loss strategies, but also because it helps improve skin barrier function.

Losing weight is a possible task if you cut down on your calories and adopt a healthy lifestyle. The main reason why people support Epsom salt baths is that they believe it helps in detoxification, which will in return aid the breaking down of fat cells.

So, yes, Epsom salt baths can help with weight loss when you know how to incorporate them. You can purchase your epsom salt bath set from Bodyandearth to enjoy your bathroom sessions and aid your weight loss journey.