You may have heard people say they are cutting out salt, either by choice or from a doctor’s suggestion. It sounds good on the surface, but why would anyone want to do that? After all, we need salt to function and it adds more flavor to many foods. But it turns out too much salt can be detrimental to your health in ways that might surprise you.
If you’re thinking of cutting down on sodium (salt), then there are some important things to know, as there are also some possible negative outcomes along with the good stuff. However, done properly with the help of this guide (and a health professional), you can help maintain and perhaps even improve your health! Here’s what you need to know about a low sodium diet.
What Is Considered Safe for Salt Intake?
There is an official dietary guideline for daily intake of salt, and it’s 2,300-milligrams (mg) per day (which is only about 1-teaspoon.) But as Medical News Today points out, about 90-percent of Americans are surpassing that limit — and that includes children.
The risks of overconsumption of sodium include high blood pressure, leading to cardiovascular issues such as heart disease and strokes, which combined cause more fatalities in America every year compared to any other cause, explains the source. In fact, the source notes that 1 in 3 adults in the U.S. have high blood pressure, “and only half of them have it under control.”