Good health comes with a pinch of salt
Link to high BP, heart disease
ALTHOUGH the winter season sees the public consuming more salt than usual, South Africans have been warned against this as it may lead to longterm chronic health problems such as high blood pressure and cardiovascular disease.
The World Health Organisation’s recommended daily allowance of salt is 5g or about a teaspoon. However, it has been estimated that the average South African consumes at least double that amount every day, which has led to increased rates of high blood pressure and heart disease. Medicine supplier, Pharma Dynamics has warned that ready-made soups, stews and other foods high in sodium are the main culprits.
Mariska Fouché, public affairs manager at Pharma Dynamics said: “Many of us warm up with packet soups, stews and gravies made with stock cubes, cooked breakfasts that feature bacon and sausages, and plenty of hot, buttered toast to go with it all.
“In addition we add table salt automatically to our meals although many of these foods are already heavily salted – especially readymade versions.”
She said the body carefully regulates its salinity [the dissolved salt content of a body of water] and works to remove excess salt.
However, excess salt leads to water retention which increases blood pressure.
Fouché said simply cutting back on salt could combat these effects.
“Start by looking at the salt content of the foods you buy and by weaning yourself gradually off adding salt to everything you eat. Instead of imparting flavour with salt, try herbs and spices instead. Your taste buds will soon adapt to a lower salt diet, and your body will thank you for it,” she said.
Fouché said that a diet high in salt has been linked to numerous diseases, including kidney disease and osteoporosis or thinning of the bones, a disease that affects elderly women in particular. — vuyiswav@dispatch.co.za