Well, there's sea salt and then there's sea salt.

If the sea salt you buy is a pure white crystalline product, then it's been refined, and is basically the same as ordinary table salt.

If you buy NATURAL, unrefined sea salt, such as Celtic or Lima brands (there are others), it contains the natural minerals of the sea. It has 1/3 less sodium than regular table salt, and it is slightly grayish in colour, and also slightly moist. It even tastes less "salty", at least I think so. It is more expensive, but generally it's less costly at natural foods or health foods stores than at gourmet shops.

I use unrefined Lima brand, because I prefer the less salty taste. Since I use so little salt, I don't really consider any special health benefits, other than the fact that it's lower in sodium.

Doreen