According to a new government report, ninety percent of the Americans are consuming more salt that they actually should. Excess salt is harmful for health as it increases the blood pressure and the consumer is exposed to high risk of stroke and heart disease.
Co-author of the report, Dr. Elena V Kuklina said that every nine out of 10 American adults are in a habit of consuming more salt than it is recommended. she revealed that the main source of excess salt in the people of America is sodium added processed food. This kind of salt consumption is cited as uncontrollable as against the consumption by a salt shaker.
Kuklina also said that although these foods like grains and meats may not taste salty but are high in sodium content.She insisted that it will take collective effort from the people to reduce the salt intake from these processed foods. Although she said that it is long process which will take years.
The director of Prevention Research Center at Yale University School of Medicine, Dr David Katz said that the American food supply is very salty. Dr Katz seconded Dr Kuklina’s views and said that excess salt intake has increased the number of deaths from heart diseases to 100000 per year.
The solution to this problem is also indicated. The recent Institute of Medicine report suggests that sodium levels in processed food should be brought down to solve this problem.
According to the report, the salt intake of almost 70 percent adult should be 1500 mg approx per day, only 5.5 percent people could meet this level.
The recommended amount of salt for others is less than 2300 mg per day.
Dr Kuklina suggested reducing the consumption of processed food and resorting to fresh food items will solve the problem . She said that canned vegetables should be rinsed with water before usage and one should also read the product labels to check the salt quantity before consumption
Although some food companies have indicated that they will reduce the sodium content in their products but consumers are advised to eat home cooked food to avoid any health problems caused by excess salt intake.
