HYPERTENSION
THE SCOOP ON SALT AND HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE
TOO MUCH SODIUM CAN HARM YOUR HEALTH, BUT TASTY ALTERNATIVES ABOUND.
Healthy Together
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hefs use salt liberally to make food tastier, and there’s hardly a table around that doesn’t have a salt shaker on it. We sprinkle salt on everything from eggs to french fries and also get plenty of it “hidden” in processed foods. Salt (also known by its chemical name, sodium chloride) helps to regulate fluid levels in the body, so the body does need a small amount in order to function
properly. Most Americans consume excessive amounts, however, which can damage blood vessels and lead to high blood pressure, stroke and more. In fact, more than nine in 10 Americans consume far more salt than the 2,300 milligrams (mg) a day recommended by the 2020-2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans. “It’s estimated that most people are taking in about 3,400 mg a day, and some as high as
Summer 2021
6/3/21 7:54 AM
