SALT AND BLOOD PRESSURE

posted by admin in General health

To help millions of Americans who must limit their salt (sodium chloride) intake, more and more food processors are declaring the salt content of their products in their labeling. Consumers should be aware that the two-letter symbol “Na” is an abbreviation of the Latin word “natrium,” sodium’s international chemical name.

They should also realize that monosodium glutamate (MSG), sodium citrate or nitrate, etc., are no less dangerous, so far as sodium content is concerned, than common salt. Baking soda is extremely rich in sodium; baking powder is less so, although still high. A Food and Drug Administration Drug Bulletin (13#3:25) reveals that diet soft drinks contain more sodium than do the regular ones, and that club soda contains the most. Of alcoholic drinks, beer contains the most salt. Among cheeses, the Swiss types contain the least. Beware of prepared desserts and puddings and especially of chocolate pudding. Many non-prescription drugs, most notably the antacids, contain a lot of sodium.

Sometimes foods which we think are healthy actually contain more salt than we realize. Although advertisements for Cheerios state that this cereal is recommended by pediatricians as the ideal solid food for toddlers, a letter to the editor of the Lancet (1:1052) points out that its high salt content makes it unsafe for young people. Containing nearly a third of a gram of salt per one-ounce serving, Cheerios is actually saltierthanmost”salty”foods, such as potato chips. Wheaties, another cereal recommended for children, contains even more salt (370 mg/oz.). Those who say that these cereals are good because they contain no artificial colors or flavoring overlook the salt. A high salt intake started early in life is more likely to be harmful by causing permanent high blood pressure than is the same high intake started in adulthood.

Remember, all of us could benefit from limiting our salt intake since, over the years, a high intake will help many of us to develop hypertension and heart trouble.

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