For decades, doctors and health experts have warned that eating too much salt can cause high blood pressure, which puts a person at risk for heart-related problems.
Yet some studies suggest that people who eat more sodium are no worse off than those who eat less.
There turns out to be a simple reason for the mixed messages about the dangers of sodium.
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To clarify this, Professor MacGregor of Queen Mary University of London while highlighting the importance of minimising added salt and ready-made, processed foods said that:
A high-salt diet upsets the natural water balance and causes the body to hold on to too much salt and water, which increases the pressure of blood pushing against the blood vessel walls
Professor MacGregor says that there’s a whole list of salty foods that includes crumpets, croissants, breads, and wraps that are “all surprisingly high in salt”.
Salad dressings, including salad cream and mayonnaises should only be eaten in small quantities, if at all.
And people are recommended to choose “low-salt varieties” of sauces such as pesto and tomato ketchup, should they use them.
Be warned that certain meat-free vegan and vegetarian burgers and sausages are also high in salt.
As are bacon, sausage, processed meats, life-long meats, pizza and takeaway Chinese food. When it comes to ready-mades soups, Professor MacGregor encourages people to choose the low-salt option.
“As a nation, if we can cut one gram of salt from our average daily salt intake, there would be approximately 6,000 fewer deaths from strokes and heart attacks each year in the UK,” he said.
“All ‘salt’ is salt (sodium chloride), even if it’s called table salt, sea salt, rock salt or Himalayan salt,” said Professor MacGregor.
“These salts are just an easy (and expensive) way to add more salt to your food without realising.”
Instead, people should focus on eating more fruit and vegetables, which have been proven to help lower blood pressure.
“Fruit and vegetables are rich in vitamins and fibre to keep your body in good condition,” added Professor MacGregor.
“They also contain the mineral potassium which helps to balance out the negative effects of the sodium in salt. This has a direct effect on your blood pressure, helping to lower it.”
Cooking at home with fresh ingredients is the best way forward (without added salt).
“If your blood pressure is extremely severe, there may be certain symptoms to look out for,” said Professor MacGregor.
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This includes:
- Severe headache
- Vision problems
- Difficulty breathing
“Raised blood pressure is the silent killer, that’s why it’s vital everyone knows their numbers and gets their blood pressure checked either by your GP or using a home blood pressure monitor.
“This is the most important step you can take to reduce your risk of stroke, heart attack or heart failure.”
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