Dear MEL Topic Readers,
Is a low-salt diet as unhealthy as having too much?
It is recommended that we take no more than 5 grams of salt per day to reduce
the risk of heart disease. That is about 2000 milligrams, or two grams, of
sodium, which is usually stated on food labels. The WHO estimates that the average
salt intake per day is a little over 10 grams globally, only a quarter of which
comes from salt we add to food ourselves. In fact, most of the salt we eat is already
included in the food before we prepare or serve it. For example, Kellogg’s Corn
Flakes contain over 200 mg of sodium per serving (42g), and a slice of cheddar
cheese contains between 150 and 200 mg. You probably know that high salt
consumption causes high blood pressure, which could lead to strokes and heart
disease. Is it then true that the lower the salt intake, the lower the risk of
heart disease will be? No. Salt is essential for nerve and muscle function,
fluid balance, and nutrient transport. How can we balance salt intake when we consume
more prepared or packaged food?
Read the article and learn what salt, or sodium, does to your body and
health.
No comments:
Post a Comment