Reducing Sodium in a Salty World

There’s been a lot of talk lately about limiting salt intake to improve your health, but the conversation is not new

Photo Credit: American Heart Association

Experts have known since the first studies were published in the 1940s that significantly reducing sodium in the diet could lower blood pressure. The dangers of excessive salt have been known for so long that thousands of years ago Chinese noblemen would use large amounts to commit suicide.

Today, sodium excess remains a deadly threat. The average American consumes about 3,400 milligrams of sodium a day, more than double the 1,500 milligrams recommended by the American Heart Association.

Too much sodium increases the risk of high blood pressure and other major health problems. More than 76.4 million people in the U.S. have high blood pressure — one-third of the population. High blood pressure is known as the “silent killer” because its symptoms are not always obvious.


Continue Reading at American Heart Association site