Big Benefits Are Seen From Eating Less Salt

A new study confirms: The US food industry is recklessly contributing to the sorry state of health of many Americans. It has been known for years that reducing salt in one's diet lowers blood pressure and the risk of cardiovascular disease. This goal is challenging as 75 to 80% of the salt in the U.S. diet comes from processed foods, not from salt added during food preparation or consumption.

From the New England Journal of Medicine (January 20, 2010): "The U.S. diet is high in salt. The Departments of Agriculture and Health and Human Services recommend daily intake of less than 5.8 g of salt (2300 mg of sodium), with a lower target of 3.7 g of salt per day for most adults (persons over 40 years of age, blacks, and persons with hypertension). Despite these guidelines, during the period from 2005 through 2006, the average man in the United States is estimated to have consumed 10.4 g of salt per day and the average woman 7.3 g per day - amounts that exceed those in preceding years."

"Many countries, including Japan, the United Kingdom, Finland, and Portugal, have reduced population-wide salt intake through a combination of regulations on the salt content in processed foods, labeling of processed and prepared foods, public education, and collaboration with the food industry."

Hard to imagine that similar action could succeed in the US given the influence of the food industry in Washington. It's good business for the health industry too! What are we complaining about?