Salt
The popular press has regular articles about health issues and salt in the diet. A typical message is that 20-25% of people are salt sensitive: they have a rise in blood pressure after eating more than minimal salt. Often a suggestion is made to test for salt sensitivity by checking blood pressure after a high salt meal. If sensitive, limit salt; otherwise eat salt as you please.
This is an incorrect message since excess salt causes serious problems for everyone. A high salt meal depresses endothelial function, the ability of blood vessels to dilate when necessary. The effects of a high salt diet build up over years with resultant vascular and kidney damage.
This is an incorrect message since excess salt causes serious problems for everyone. A high salt meal depresses endothelial function, the ability of blood vessels to dilate when necessary. The effects of a high salt diet build up over years with resultant vascular and kidney damage.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24401240
Excess salt also interferes with immune function and some studies have shown improvement in asthma with salt restriction.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17109669
Scientific studies are unequivocal- excess salt is a problem for everyone and is a major cause of preventable disease and death.
The food industry has an enormous interest in promoting salt use. Most prepared and fast foods have large amounts of salt. For most people the primary source of salt is food eaten outside the home. Many meats have salt water injected to increase weight and improve storability.
Excess salt also interferes with immune function and some studies have shown improvement in asthma with salt restriction.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17109669
Scientific studies are unequivocal- excess salt is a problem for everyone and is a major cause of preventable disease and death.
The food industry has an enormous interest in promoting salt use. Most prepared and fast foods have large amounts of salt. For most people the primary source of salt is food eaten outside the home. Many meats have salt water injected to increase weight and improve storability.
Most of us are use to and like salty food, but eliminating salt at the table and when preparing food will allow a change in preference. After two weeks of a low salt diet most prefer low salt foods and enjoy other flavors salt was masking. It's not a hard transition and it's much better for health. Deb and I now prefer food prepared with little or no salt. Restaurants often will prepare low salt meals on request.
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