Advice in the world week aimed at reducing salt consumption. This reduces pressure values and the risk of heart attack and stroke.
There was a long historical phase, finished just over ten thousand years ago, during which man would never have imagined adding salt to food. At that time, the only source of sodium chloride (ie salt) was represented by the portion naturally contained in food. With this, it was almost never possible to exceed one gram per day: less than one fifth of the maximum value indicated today by the World Health Organization in order not to take risks. Less than five grams a day: this should be daily consumption to reduce the risk of developing hypertension.
WORLD WEEK TO REDUCE SALT CONSUMPTION
The message echoes during the World Week for the reduction of salt consumption, which runs until 18 March, and is addressed both to the individual citizen (in order to have a relapse on personal choices) as well as to the food industries and governments (called to launch a broader strategy to reduce salt consumption in the population). “Excessive consumption of salt can lead to an increase in blood pressure, with a consequent increase in the risk of serious cardiopulmonary vascular diseases related to hypertension: such as myocardial infarction and cerebral stroke – says Elena Dogliotti, nutritionist biologist and supervisory member of the Umberto Veronesi Foundation-. Several studies have also shown that excessive salt intake may increase the risk of developing osteoporosis , renal failure and some tumors of the digestive system : in particular the stomach . The consumption of salt should be reduced from the child’s age: why it is recommended not to add salt in baby food, at least for the first year of life. In addition to doing prevention, this will educate the even children to discover the authentic flavors of the food. ”
FIVE ADVICES TO REDUCE SALT CONSUMPTION
To achieve the goal, the experts of the «World Action Salt» have drawn up five useful (health) and sustainable (for the palate) tips.
Drain and rinse canned vegetables and beans and eat more fresh fruit and vegetables
Try to gradually decrease the addition of salt to your favorite dishes, your palate will adapt to the new taste
Use herbs, spices, garlic and lemon instead of salt to add flavor to your dishes
Put salt and salted sauces away from the table , so young people will not get into the habit of adding salt
Check food labels before buying them, they will help you choose those with lower salt content.
A HEALTHY DIET DOES NOT COMPENSE EXCESSES OF SALT
According to Dogliotti it is “useful and effective indications, from which to reduce the consumption of salt in Italian homes”. The negative impact of excessive consumption of salt – the difficulty lies above all in counting the quota that is assumed by consuming food of industrial origin – is often overlooked. But according to a research just published in the journal Hypertension not even a healthy diet (for the rest) is able to compensate for the increase in blood pressure caused by excessive salt intake. The researchers analyzed the diets of over four thousand people, coming from four countries: United States, United Kingdom, Japan and China. Result? Those who took too much salt every day, had higher blood pressure values: regardless of the dishes brought to the table. «Some micronutrients, such as vitamin C, fiber and omega-3 fatty acids and potassium have been associated with lower blood pressure values – comments Dogliotti -. But consume foods that are rich, or fruit, vegetables and whole grains, it is not a good reason to exceed with salt.
Comments
Post a Comment