I Tried Oprah’s Pink Salt Trick in My Sourdough – Here’s What Happened

I’m no stranger to wild internet health trends. I’ve tried celery juice (meh), butter coffee (weirdly addictive), and yes, I even dabbled in moon water (don’t ask). But when I heard that Oprah was apparently raving about a “pink salt trick” that could boost energy, aid digestion, and maybe even help with cravings, I paused mid‑scroll.

Could something as simple as adding pink salt to water really make a difference? And more importantly… could I mix this “miracle salt” into something I already loved—like my beloved homemade fermented sourdough?

So, in the name of curiosity (and carbs), I spent a week combining the now‑famous pink salt trick with my morning sourdough ritual. Spoiler: It was way more interesting than I expected—and not in a woo‑woo way. Let me take you through what happened when I sipped, sprinkled, and snacked my way through seven days of salty sourdough mornings.

What Is the Pink Salt Trick (and Oprah Connection)?

Let’s clear the air first: Oprah herself didn’t create or promote this “trick.” She didn’t pop onto Instagram and say, “Add salt to your water, darling.” What happened was that a bunch of viral TikTok videos started using AI voiceovers and fake subtitles to make it look like Oprah was behind it. Classic internet.

That said, the pink salt trick has some genuine roots in wellness communities.

Here’s how it works:

• You take ¼ teaspoon of Himalayan pink salt
• Mix it into a glass of room-temperature water
• Drink it first thing in the morning, ideally before coffee or food

Some versions call for adding lemon juice or apple cider vinegar, but the salt itself is the key player. The logic? Himalayan salt contains trace minerals like magnesium, calcium, and potassium, which can help hydrate you more effectively than plain water.

It’s especially popular among folks doing intermittent fasting, low‑carb diets, or anyone who wakes up feeling drained and foggy. And unlike some superfood fads, this one is dirt cheap—you can snag a whole bag of pink salt for a few bucks at the grocery store.

The science is… mixed. Some experts say it’s helpful, others call it a glorified placebo. But hey, if placebo tastes good and keeps you hydrated? That’s a win in my book.

Why I Thought to Try It with My Sourdough

Okay, so I’ve been making fermented sourdough for a while now. I love how it makes me feel—lighter, more satisfied, and somehow more human, if that makes sense. There’s something magical about the crackly crust, the chewy interior, and the tangy kick that tells your tastebuds, “Yep, this bread took days to create.”

So when I read that pink salt helps wake up digestion and supports hydration in the morning, I figured: Why not combine it with my favorite bread?

I wasn’t about to sprinkle a chunk of salt right into my dough (too much sodium = meh). Instead, I took a different approach:

• I drank the pink salt water about 20 minutes before breakfast
• Then toasted a thick slice of sourdough and added toppings like avocado, olive oil, or eggs
• I kept it consistent for a full week, journaling how I felt

My theory was simple: if pink salt could “prime” my body with minerals and hydration, then pairing it with fermented sourdough might make me feel full, energized, and balanced—all without needing coffee or sugar hits.

What happened next? Some surprises, a few raised eyebrows, and one very satisfying breakfast moment.

Why I Gave Oprah’s Pink Salt Trick a Real Shot

After reading more about Oprah’s pink salt trick, I realized it wasn’t just internet fluff. The idea behind it—hydration, minerals, and morning mindfulness—actually made sense.

Day 1: Morning Ritual & First Bite

The morning I started, I woke up groggy—normal for me. But instead of grabbing my usual almond milk latte (don’t judge), I reached for a glass of water I’d prepped the night before.

What I Did:

• 8 oz of room-temp filtered water
• ¼ tsp of pink Himalayan salt
• Stirred well
• Optional: small squeeze of lemon (I added it for flavor)

I sipped it slowly while making my sourdough toast. And honestly? It didn’t taste bad. A little briny, but not harsh. Think: spa water… with an attitude.

Twenty minutes later, I toasted up a slice of my 48-hour fermented sourdough. The crust was perfectly crisp, the inside soft and tangy. I drizzled on olive oil, topped it with flaky sea salt and a few tomato slices. It was simple but heavenly.

I expected… nothing, really. But I noticed two things:

1. I didn’t feel the usual bloat I sometimes get with toast + coffee.
2. I felt weirdly energized—but not in a jittery way.

Could it be the salt trick? Could it be the hydration? Could it just be in my head? Probably a combo of all three. But I was curious enough to try it again.

Days 2–4: Noticing Patterns…

This is where things got interesting.

Here’s a quick visual table of what I tracked over the next few mornings:

Day	Salt Drink?	Breakfast	Energy Level (1–10)	Bloating	Cravings Before Lunch	Mood
2	✅ Yes	Sourdough + avocado	8	Mild	None	😊 Good
3	✅ Yes	Sourdough + egg	9	None	None	😌 Calm
4	✅ Yes	Sourdough + nut butter	8	None	Slight sweet craving	😐 Meh

Observations:

• Hydration boost: I didn’t feel the urge to guzzle water mid-morning like I usually do.
• Steadier energy: I typically crash hard around 10:30 a.m., but I felt more focused and steady—especially on Day 3.
• Better digestion: Not to overshare (okay, a little), but digestion was smooth and timely. No weird tummy rumbles.

I also noticed that my morning felt more intentional. There’s something about starting your day with a little ritual—mixing the drink, slicing good bread, toasting it just right—that felt kind of… luxurious. Like a small act of self-care.

What the Experts Say: Is the Pink Salt Trick Actually Legit?

Let’s be real—just because something goes viral doesn’t mean it’s backed by science. So I did a little digging (okay, a lot of Googling) to find out what nutritionists and functional medicine experts actually say about this whole pink salt situation.

Turns out, there’s a mix of “meh” and “hmm.”

🧠 Expert Opinions You Can Trust

“Adding a small pinch of salt, especially Himalayan pink salt, to water can support electrolyte balance—especially in the morning when your body is naturally dehydrated.”
— Dr. Will Cole, Functional Medicine Practitioner
(source)

“It won’t burn fat or detox your body, but it may encourage better hydration and mindfulness in the morning, which is always a good thing.”
— Keri Glassman, RD, Founder of Nutritious Life
(source)

So What’s the Verdict?

No, it’s not a magic fat burner. But yes, there is some nutritional merit—especially when it’s part of a more mindful, slower morning.

And when you combine it with fermented sourdough? You’re giving your body hydration, minerals, and a digestion-friendly carb source. That’s a triple win.

How It Compares to Other Morning Routines

You might be wondering: “Is this really better than my usual coffee and toast?” Here’s a fun side-by-side comparison:

👇 Breakfast Routine Breakdown

Routine	Energy Boost	Digestion Friendly?	Hydrating?	Cravings Control	Gut-Friendly
Coffee + Toast	☕️ Yes (short-term)	😬 Not always	❌ Nope	😕 Not really	❌ Processed toast = no
Green Smoothie	💚 Yes	👍 Yes	✅ Hydrating	✅ Keeps you full	👍 But needs protein
Pink Salt + Sourdough	⚡️ Gradual & steady	✅ Yes	✅ Big win	✅ Felt full longer	✅ Fermentation helps
Plain Water + Cereal	😴 Mild	😬 Can bloat	✅ Yes	❌ Sugar crash	❌ No probiotics

So yeah, pink salt + sourdough might not be flashy, but it holds up surprisingly well compared to more hyped routines.

Also? It’s satisfying, real, and you actually look forward to it.

But Let’s Talk Downsides (Because I Promised to Be Honest)

Not every moment was perfect. Here’s where things got… a little salty:

⚠️ Potential Pitfalls

• Too much salt = too intense
  On Day 5, I accidentally added a little too much pink salt. Yikes. It tasted like ocean broth. Go light with it, especially if you’re sensitive to salt.
• Not for everyone with high blood pressure
  If you’ve got hypertension or are on a sodium-restricted diet, talk to your doc before trying this.
• It’s not a weight loss miracle
  Did I lose 5 pounds and gain superpowers? Nope. I just felt more balanced—and that was enough for me.
• You’ve gotta plan ahead
  Making the drink is quick, but waiting 20 minutes before eating takes effort. I had to set an earlier alarm (ugh).

Still, none of these were deal-breakers. It just reminded me that even wellness rituals come with a learning curve.

My Final Verdict: Did I Stick With It?

After seven days of sipping salty water and savoring sourdough, here’s the truth:

I loved it.
Not in a “quit your job and start a pink salt blog” kind of way… but in a “this feels doable and kind of delicious” way.

It turns out, the combo of:

• intentional hydration (instead of a caffeine jolt),
• slow-fermented carbs,
• and actually sitting down for breakfast…

…changed the tone of my entire morning. I wasn’t jittery. I didn’t hit that 10:30 a.m. crash. And I wasn’t fighting off cravings for cinnamon rolls or potato chips by noon.

Will I do it every day?

Not every day. Sometimes, I still want my latte. But for the majority of my mornings? This pink salt + sourdough duo earned a solid spot in my wellness rotation.

It’s kind of like a spa day for your stomach—with toast. What’s not to love?

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FAQ: Pink Salt in Sourdough – Your Top Questions, Answered

Conclusion: A Little Salt, A Little Sourdough, A Whole Lot of Morning Magic

Trying Oprah’s so-called “pink salt trick” in my sourdough routine didn’t make me a morning person overnight—but it did something better. It gave me a ritual. A moment to slow down, hydrate, and eat something I made with love (and wild yeast). That’s a small, delicious win in a world of chaotic mornings.

No, it’s not magic. And no, Oprah didn’t personally hand me a crystal of pink salt. But I did gain:

• A steadier energy level
• Less bloating
• Fewer cravings
• And a new favorite breakfast that’s tasty and nourishing

So if you’re sourdough-obsessed like I am—or just looking for a gentle wellness shift—this combo might surprise you too.

Now go forth and toast something amazing.