Salt - The Forgotten Diet Threat?

March 7th, 2007

One of our favorite newsletters, the Berkeley Wellness Letter, has a featured article this month about salt.

Almost everyone knows salt is linked to hypertension, yet salt consumption is up 50% since the early 80’s.   Even though the research links salt to high blood pressure, heart attacks and stroke, efforts to re-classify it as a food additive so amounts added to prepared foods can be regulated have failed.  The Salt Institute claims there is no solid evidence for these health effects.

So, you are on your own again.  The good news is that most labels list sodium content.  U.S. dietary guidelines suggest an upper limit of 1500 milligrams for most middle-aged individuals.  Keep your journal.

Entry Filed under: Healthy Lifestyle Research, Making Choices