RODALE NEWS, EMMAUS, PA—Fixing our nation's healthcare dilemma could be as easy as cutting our salt intake, according to a new study published in the New England Journal of Medicine. A food additive that the Food and Drug Administration doesn't have much power to regulate, salt has become more and more prevalent in our diets, as we eat out more and spend more grocery dollars on ready-made but heavily processed food. But the health problems associated with too much salt—including high blood pressure, heart disease, and increased risk of stroke—have many public health officials suggesting we all cut back. And as it turns out, it won't take much to turn the salty tide.
THE DETAILS: The scientists used computer modeling to see how much money could be saved by cutting 3 grams (g) of salt from the average American's daily diet. That's about 1,200 milligrams (mg) of sodium, and a mere half-teaspoon of salt. Their research found that a slight reduction in our salt intake could result in 60,000 to 120,000 fewer cases of heart disease and 32,000 to 66,000 fewer strokes, and it could reduce the number of deaths by up to 92,000 each year. In addition, such a move would cut between $10 billion to $24 billion in healthcare costs. Even cutting intake by a single gram—barely a third of a teaspoon—could reduce heart disease by 37,000 cases, strokes by 20,000, and deaths by 28,000.
WHAT IT MEANS: Although groups like the American Heart Association recommend that healthy adults get less than 6 g of salt (about 2,300 mg of sodium) each day, the average adult male gets 10.4 g and the average adult woman consumes 7.3, according to the study's authors. If you're looking for a fast and easy way to improve your health, start by cutting 400 mg of sodium, equal to 1 g of salt, out of your diet each day. Then work toward eliminating the recommended 3 g.
Keep reading for five ways to start shaking the salt out of your diet.
Published on: January 21, 2010
Updated on: April 20, 2010