Everyone knows a high access of salt can cause high blood pressure and cardiovascular disease. Every year in the UK 150,000 people suffer a stroke, according to the Stroke Association, while three in five people don’t know they should limit their daily salt to 6g.

In a review of 13 studies, researchers analyzed data on more than 170,000 people and found a scarily strong link between too much sodium and cardiovascular disease and stroke. As in eating just 5 extra grams of salt (about a teaspoon) daily upped the stroke rate by 23 percent. As in that same 5 grams of salt increased the cardiovascular disease rate by 17 percent.

The researchers say cutting 5 grams of salt daily around the world could prevent more than a million strokes and 3 million cardiovascular disease deaths per year. Yikes.
Tracey
NotSuperHuman.com

1 – Buy Fresh

One of the easiest ways to lower your intake is to buy fresh food instead of prepared and packaged, which is where most of your daily dose comes from.

2 – Check the label

Even seemingly healthy foods such as bread can be high in salt. Foods are said to be high in salt if they contain more than 1.5g salt (or 06 sodium) per 100g. Low-salt foods have less than 0.3g salt (or 0.1g sodium) per 100g.

3 – Break the habit

It’s easy to add salt after cooking, but this is often down to little more than habit. Stop shaking tons of salt on your chips, your rice and food. Leave the cellar in the cupboard and not in the middle of the table. More often than not you’ll forget about it!

4 – Buy Try before you sprinkle

Taste your food to see if it actually needs salt. You can flavour your favourite dishes with lemon juice, garlic or chilli power or from a mixture of herbs.

5 – Pick a substitute

Low-sodium alternatives, such as Lo-Salt, provide the flavour but use potassium instead of sodium, which is the main cause of health problems. However, people with kidney problems shouldn’t use these products.

Credits – Tracey and AuntieP Flickr for the photo.