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People of the older generation tend to add salt when cooking vegetables and then add even more to the food on their plates, often without first tasting the food to check if there is enough salt already included. Here are a few facts about salt and its effect upon our health:
- The current level of salt (sodium chloride) in a British adults diet is about 9gm per day.
- COMA (The Committee on Medical Aspects) recommends that the maximum intake should be 6gm per day. The official requirement is about 4 gm per day. Having said that, those populations who have a lower intake appear to be perfectly healthy.
- Research has demonstrated that in populations with a high salt intake the risk of blood pressure with age is increased. Blood pressure is the key factor in strokes.
- A high salt diet can also aggravate the risk of osteoporosis and possibly increase the predisposition of stomach cancer.
- It has been estimated that if the guidelines laid down by COMA, in respect of the reduction of salt intake to 6gm per day, were implemented, it would prevent approximately 6000 deaths in the under 65's and 34000 deaths in all ages per year.
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Only 10% of salt is present naturally in fresh food. Whilst discretionary salt (that used in cooking and at the table) amounts to only 20%, the remaining 80% of the salt in our diet originates from that added during the processing of foods.
- The main sources of salt in the British diet originate from bread, ready meals, meat products, snacks and many breakfast cereals.
- At present manufacturers are legally required to show salt on food labels as sodium per 100gm. To convert sodium into salt multiply the value shown by 2.5 to get an idea of the exact amount of salt that food contains.
- Low sodium salt is now being used by some food companies in the manufacturing process.
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Before reaching for the salt pot, stop and think about the amount of salt already in the food you are about to eat. Ask yourself, "Do I need this?" And remember it is an insult to the chef to add any condiment before tasting.
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Author: Ann Brady
Copyright www.exercise.co.uk
2001
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Copyright Exercise, Fitness & Leisure 2001
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