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Americans love their salt shakers, but should they? Date published: 7/30/2006
T SEEMS some people would rather starve than eat less salt. "I didn't order lunch, and I'm not going to eat again unless they send me some salt," one older lady told me from her hospital bed recently. Her doctor had ordered a low-sodium diet to protect her ailing heart, but she wasn't ready to try other seasonings. "I want a salt shaker. I won't abuse the privilege," she pleaded. I was relieved that the doctor gave in rather than forcing her, but I hope she will be more open-minded when she's feeling better. Last month, the American Medical Association joined the federal government and American Heart Association's crusade urging Americans to "shake the salt habit." Although we need some sodium chloride to survive, too much sodium can increase blood pressure and the risk of strokes, heart attacks and kidney problems. Some people are more sensitive to sodium than others, but there's no test for it. Older people, blacks and people with One in four Americans with normal blood pressure, and more than half of those with high blood pressure, are sensitive, the NIH says. Still, salt is ingrained in our culture. Just think of the expression "He's worth his salt." It refers to ancient Rome, where soldiers' salaries were paid in salt, not money. People fought wars and traded slaves to get control of salt deposits, because salt can preserve food for a long time without refrigeration. Today, salt is inexpensive, but it's valued because it tastes so darn good. Luckily, once you know what too much sodium can do and how to make foods taste tempting with less salt and more spices, you may be asking for second helpings of other seasonings. But first, the facts. Twice as much as we need"Research shows most Americans consume two to three times the amount of sodium that is healthy, with an estimated 75 [percent] to 80 percent of the daily intake of sodium coming from processed and restaurant foods," according to the American Medical Association. And that's not including the salt sprinkled on at the table. Healthy people should limit sodium to 2,300 milligrams daily, according to the federal government. Active people need more because sodium is lost in sweat.
Date published: 7/30/2006
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