Everybody wants adequate amount of salt in their food. Somebody eat more. Somebody eat normal but very little people eat with lesser salt. Nobody feels satisfied with lesser quantity of salt in their food. Once the food contains less salt, they complain. But not many know that we are taking higher salt. Too much salt can raise the risk of heart disease.
Adults are advised to consume no more than 6g of salt a day and children 5g as too much can increase blood pressure and therefore the risk of heart attack and stroke.
But in our country, an average man takes 20 gms of salt daily. Whereas in UK, America it is 6 gms, Portugal 5 gms, Belgium 8.75 gms, Japan 10 gms.
Adults and children could be eating dangerously high levels of salt in food from some of the high street's most popular restaurants. Research has found that one meal from some fast food restaurants, Pizza Hut could provide more than the recommended daily amount of salt.
Sodium
One gm of Sodium is equal to 2.5 gms of salt. So this is 2.5 times more harmful than salt. On some of the food items labels, the contents show how much sodium is included in the product. It is better to checkup the quantum of sodium included before we buy any food item.
Knowing this, we should not stop eating salt. Because for many metabolic activities, it is essential. Salt maintains balance in body liquids. Salt also takes care of muscles & nerves. Nutrients in food go to the body through salt only. Only higher intake is harmful.
Higher intake causes high BP, Heart problems, loss in sight and obesity. It causes danger to the kidneys also.
In 100 gms of potato chips, there will be approx 25 gms of salt. In 100 gms of pop corn, there will be 50 gms sodium. In 100 gms of pickles, there will be 40 gms salt. In some food items, we can taste the salt. But in some items we cant.
I would really urge everybody to choose lower salt options whenever they go out for a meal.
So be cautious. Reduce your salt intake if you are taking more. Be healthy and enjoy life.
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ABOUT SALT