SALT REDUCTION

SALT REDUCTION IN OUR DIETS CAN CUT DOWN THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE EXPERIENCING HEART DISEASE AND STROKES  AND IN TURN SAVE LIVES. IF PEOPLE  CAN REDUCE THEIR SALT INTAKE, MILLIONS OF LIVES CAN BE SAVED FROM HEART DISEASE, STROKE AND RELATED CONDITIONS.
THE MAIN SOURCE OF SODIUM IN OUR DIET IS SALT. IT CAN COME FROM SODIUM GLUTAMATE AND SODIUM CHLORIDE AND IS USED AS A CONDIMENT IN MANY PARTS OF THE WORLD.
IN MANY COUNTRIES, 80% OF SALT INTAKE COMES FROM PROCESSED FOODS SUCH AS BREAD, CHEESE, BOTTLED SAUCES, AND READY - MADE  MEALS.CONSUMING  TOO MUCH SALT CAN LEAD TO HYPERTENSION OR HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE AND GREATLY INCREASE THE RISK OF HEART DISEASE AND STROKE.
ON AVERAGE, PEOPLE COSUME AROUND 10 GRAMS OF SALT PER DAY. THIS IS DOUBLE THE RECOMMENDED LEVEL BY  THE  WHO . SALT IS IN ALMOST EVERYTHING WE EAT. EITHER  BECAUSE OF THE  HIGH LEVEL OF SALT FOUND IN MOST PROCESSED AND PREPARED FOODS, OR BECAUSE WE ARE  ADDING TOO MUCH  SALT WHEN WE PREPARE FOOD AT HOME.

HOW DO WE REDUCE OUR SALT INTAKE?
1. READ FOOD LABELS WHEN BUYING PROCESSED FOOD TO CHECK SALT LEVELS.
2. ASK FOR PRODUCTS WITH LESS SALT WHEN BUYING PREPARED FOOD.
3. REMOVE SALT DISPENSERS AND BOTTLED SAUCES FROM DINNING TABLES.
4. LIMITING THE AMOUNT OF SALT ADDED WHEN COOKING.
5. LIMIT THE CONSUMPTION OF HIGH SALT PRODUCTS.

SALT IS FOUND IN A VARIETY OF FOODS INCLUDIND MILK AND CREAM. IT IS ALSO FOUND IN MUCH HIGHER AMOUNTS IN PROCESSED FOODS SUCH AS  BREAD, PROCESSED MEATS LIKE BACON, SNACK FOODS SUCH AS CHEESE PUFFS AND POPCORN.
WE HAVE TO STRIVE TO REDUCE OUR SALT INTAKE  IN ORDER TO DECREASE THE RISK OF HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE AND HEART RELATED DISEASES.