| Did you know that salt plays a very important role in | | | | of fish and red meat. This statistic is not surprising as |
| how effectively are body functions. Basically, without | | | | the western diet contains a lot of processed foods |
| sodium we would not survive. Salt has a key role in | | | | which, uses high levels of salt as a preservative and |
| controlling the content of water in our blood stream, | | | | flavor enhancer. However, the food industry also uses |
| and regulates the levels of alkaline and acid in our | | | | salt for the following reasons: |
| digestive system. Sodium is also needed to support | | | | * Volatilization control: In foods like cheese and bread, |
| the creation and motion of electrical charges in our | | | | salt is added to regulate the speed of organic |
| nervous system that enable our muscles and limbs to | | | | fermentation. |
| move. | | | | * Food binder: Binds processed meat when cooked at |
| Sodium can effect the major organs of the body and | | | | high temperatures. |
| in particularly the kidneys. It is commonly considered | | | | * Texture enhancer: Prevents the tearing of dough as |
| that one of the main causes of high blood pressure is | | | | it expands during the baking process. |
| the failure of the kidneys to eliminate sodium | | | | As you can see, the food industry has many uses for |
| effectively. The rise in blood pressure increases the | | | | salt other than a preservative or food enhancer. |
| levels of sodium that need to be filtered by the | | | | As discussed, a diet high in sodium can cause serious |
| kidneys. The excess dilutes into the bladder and raises | | | | damage to the major organs. In the long term high |
| the levels of sodium in your urine. This reaction is the | | | | levels of sodium can lead to hypertension, high blood |
| body compensating for its inability to discharge the | | | | pressure and kidney failure. |
| sodium effectively. | | | | Many people do not realize that the diet they are |
| Although salt is very important for the body too much | | | | eating may have a very high level of salt. This is |
| it can cause problems. The U.S Department of Health | | | | because salt in food is difficult to taste as the food |
| in association with the American Heart Association | | | | industry can mask it so well. To find out the level of |
| have set guidelines that recommend the daily intake of | | | | salt in your diet read the package labels of the food |
| salt for adults should be no more than 2.4 grams (g). | | | | you buy, you can then work out how much your daily |
| These recommended guidelines are also the same for | | | | intake is. If it is within the daily recommended level then |
| Canada, the UK and Australia. However, many people | | | | your fine, if its higher then, you need to reduce it as |
| are eating far too much salt in their diet. The latest | | | | soon as possible. |
| studies have revealed that the average American | | | | The best way to reduce salt is to change your diet |
| consumes nearly double the recommended daily | | | | from a processed one to a natural organic one. This |
| amount, that is 5 grams! | | | | means introducing more fruit and vegetables into your |
| So, how are we are eating so much salt and where is | | | | diet and selecting the low salt options. As salt is used |
| it coming from? Well, the best way to understand this | | | | to enhance the flavor of food this change in diet may |
| worrying trend is to break it down. Basically, 75% of | | | | take some time getting use to. However, if you stick to |
| salt within the western diet originates from the food | | | | it you will see and feel the benefits and never look |
| industry with the remaining 25% being added either, by | | | | back. |
| ourselves or added naturally through the consumption | | | | |