Well Tuned Naturally

In many homes and for many people, salt is a staple used at most meals. For many, it’s used to such an extreme that it’s added to their food before even tasting it. If this describes you, detaching your hand from the salt shaker may pose quite a challenge, but if you have hypertension, it’s an act you really need to make.

Studies have shown that for those with hypertension, the greater the intake of salt, the higher blood pressure rises. Excess salt causes water retention and as fluid becomes stored in tissues, it puts pressure on the body. Hypertension is not the only disease aggravated by the use of excess salt, salt also plays an adverse role in asthmatic conditions, the acceleration of kidney disease, osteoporosis and even stomach cancer.

The Solution

There is only one way to escape the effects of an excess salt intake – and that is to simply quit using it. Though it may be a challenge at first, as everything will taste a little ‘off’, (or have no taste at all), but after a while you’ll find yourself questioning why restaurants and manufacturers have to put so much salt in their food. According to the DHFSA (Department of Health and Food Standards) the optimal amount of salt an adult should consume per day should not exceed five to six grams.

In addition to cutting out the salt that you yourself add to food, you need to start looking at the labels on prepared/packaged food. The amount of salt in processed foods can be staggering. It would be foolish to alter your intake by cutting out what you’re shaking onto your food, while continuing to consume the massive amount in many of the store-shelf prepared foods.

More Foods To Watch Out For

High concentration of salt is found in sausages, dried fish, processed cheese, dried soup/noodle packets and stock cubes. Some brands of tomato sauce contain high amounts of salt. Also you will want to use sparingly ketchup and soy sauce.

The Food To Consume

Probably in every hypertension-related article posted on this site you will read that you will want your diet to be focused on fresh fruits and vegetables, high fiber and low fat foods. These foods may seem unappealing at first, but once you start to manage your taste buds instead of allowing them to manage you, you will start to desire the foods that contribute to your health and wellbeing, instead of those that steal it from you.