You know salt is bad for you, but you may not realize just how bad it is. It is an established fact that a diet that is high in salt is almost guaranteed to raise blood pressure. Hypertension is a leading cause of heart disease, kidney disease and stroke. And even in people with normal blood pressure, excessive salt stiffens the arteries and increases the risk for heart enlargement, heart failure and other cardiovascular and kidney diseases.
The problem is that salt attracts water. A high-salt diet draws water into the bloodstream. This increases the volume of blood and forces the heart to pump harder.
A National Threat
The American Heart Association recently urged federal officials to adopt a new recommended upper limit for salt of 1,500 milligrams (mg) a day. Most Americans consume more than double that amount. Some Americans consume up to 10,000 mg daily.
Also, the American Heart Association, along with health agencies in New York City and elsewhere, is promoting a campaign the National Salt Reduction Initiative) to reduce the amount of salt in packaged and restaurant foods by 25% over five years. That's a good start, but it's far from enough.
Live Longer
The average adult who reduces his/her salt intake to the recommended level can expect to have a reduction in systolic blood pressure (top number of six to seven points and a reduction in diastolic pressure (bottom number) of three to four points. For patients with mild-to-moderate hypertension, that might be enough by itself to achieve healthy blood pressure. For those with higher pressure who are taking medication, a lower-salt diet could allow them to take a lower dose.
A study conducted by researchers at Harvard Medical School and other institutions found that people with slightly elevated blood pressure who reduced their salt intake by 25% to 30% were about 25% less likely to have a heart attack or stroke 10 to 15 years later than those who didn't curtail salt. On average, the participants who achieved healthier blood pressure reduced their salt intake by only about one teaspoon daily.
How Much Do You Need?
To be clear, we all need some salt. It contains sodium, an electrolyte that aids in the transmission of nerve impulses, controls muscle contractions and helps maintain healthy hydration and blood pressure. The body doesn't make salt, so you need to get it from foods.
However, no one needs more than 500 mg of sodium daily. In other words, the recommended amount is an upper limit. The less salt you consume, the better-it would be very difficult in the US to consume too little salt. The kidneys are very efficient at retaining sodium-a little goes a long way.
Salt Sensitivity
An even lower sodium intake is essential for those who are salt-sensitive. About 26% of Americans with normal blood pressure, and up to 58% of those with hypertension, exhibit rapid rises in blood pressure even when they have small amounts of salt. These people should try to consume less than 1,500 mg of sodium daily.
There isn't a test for sodium sensitivity. Those who are most likely to have it include people 55 years old or older.. African Americans...and those with metabolic syndrome, a combination of disorders that includes insulin resistance, a high waist circumference (central obesity) and other factors.
Potassium Helps
One way to reduce the effects of a high-sodium diet on blood pressure is to consume more potassium. It can lower blood pressure almost as much as decreasing sodium.
Try to get at least two times more potassium in your diet than sodium. If you take in 2,000 mg of sodium a day, aim for 4,000 mg or more of potassium. In societies with a higher potassium-to-sodium ratio-where people consume three or even four times more potassium than sodium-the rate of hypertension is far lower than in the US.
High-potassium foods include fruits, vegetables, beans and low-fat dairy products.
Examples (these are one-cup servings unless otherwise noted)...
- Apricots (dried) 10 halves, 407 mg
- Banana (raw), 594 mg
- Beans (baked), 752 mg
- Beets (cooked), 519 mg
- Cantaloupe, 494 mg
- Milk, skim, 407 mg
- Orange juice, 496 mg
- Potato (one average potato, baked), 1,081 mg
- Raisins, cup, 544 mg
- Spinach (cooked) 839 mg
- Tomato sauce, 909 mg
Caution: If you have kidney disease, talk to your doctor about the amount of potassium that is safe for you.
How To Cut Back
About 70% of the salt in our diets comes from packaged foods and foods prepared in restaurants. A McDonald's Double Cheeseburger, for example, contains 1,150 mg of sodium. A typical frozen dinner contains nearly 800 mg, and even a bowl of raisin bran might have more than 340 mg. The most effective strategy is to avoid processed foods and prepare low-salt meals at home.
About 30% of the salt that Americans consume is added at the table or during cooking, Some people can train their taste buds to enjoy less salty foods, but many people can't.
My advice: Use potassium chloride instead of the usual sodium chloride. Different brands, such as NoSalt, are available. The taste is very close to regular table salt.
Bonus: The potassium helps counteract the effects of sodium elsewhere in the diet.
Is Sea Salt Healthier?
Companies promote sea salt as a healthier choice than table salt. Don't believe it. Regular table salt is almost pure sodium chloride. Typical sea salt contains about 55% chloride, 31% sodium, 4% magnesium and 1% potassium, along with trace amounts of other minerals. That sounds healthier than table salt, but it's still 86% sodium chloride. The difference is insignificant.
Exercise Is Not An Excuse
Many people think that they need more salt when they exercise or on hot days when they perspire heavily. The sports-drink industry has made a fortune from this widespread belief. It's not true. During exercise, the body actually retains sodium in the sweat glands. The minerals that are lost in perspiration are mainly potassium and magnesium, not sodium. You don't need a sodium-spiked beverage to replace fluids. Just drink more water.
