Experts from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) say in a June 25th report that 90% of Americans consume more salt in their diet than is currently recommended. As most everyone knows increased salt (sodium) consumption is related to heart disease and stroke.

One of the most interesting findings is that most of the salt comes from processed foods that don’t even taste salty rather than from adding or cooking with salt at home. In school I was always taught that the easier the food was to prepare (i.e. the more processed it was) the more salt it contained.

The recommended salt consumption is 2,300 mg/day for healthy folks and 1,500 mg/day for those with high blood pressure. Many food companies have pledged to lower the salt content of their processed foods but admit that it will only be in some selected foods and it will be a very slow process.

The best way to lower food intake is to cook at home but in our rushed lifestyles that is unlikely to happen. Slowing down might have health benefits in areas we haven’t even thought about. bjmdjd

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Centers for Disease Control and Prevention · heart disease · processed foods · salt consumption · stroke