The body needs sodium but an imbalance causes a wide range of health issues. Eating too much salt can lead to high blood pressure in some people. It also builds up fluid in people with congestive heart failure, cirrhosis of the liver, and kidney disease. Too little salt causes problems with the muscles and nerves in your body working properly. Sodium regulates blood pressure and blood volume.
How Much Sodium is Enough?
The FDA notes that the amount of sodium listed on the Nutrition Facts label on food packaging tells you how much salt is in the foods you eat. The Dietary Guidelines recommends no more than 2,300 milligrams of sodium a day which is the equivalent of a teaspoon of table salt. The governmental agency also notes that,” The natural salt in food accounts for about 10 percent of total intake, on average, according to the guidelines. The salt we add at the table or while cooking adds another 5 to 10 percent. About 75 percent of our total salt intake comes from salt added to processed foods by manufacturers and salt that cooks add to food at restaurants and other food service establishments.”
By eating more fresh fruits and vegetables, flavoring foods with pepper and other spices, and choosing unsalted snacks, you can reduce your sodium intake. If you need more salt in your diet, try using a little more when cooking or seasoning your food to taste. It’ll make a world of difference in keeping your blood pressure and blood volume stable.
To check the ingredients in the foods you eat, access the INRFOOD app available for free for iPhone and Android. The database contains over 50,000 entries and makes choosing healthier options easy even when you’re eating in a restaurant. Best of all, it’s with you wherever you go because it’s on your smartphone. There’s no excuse to not know what you’re consuming when the team at INRFOOD Inc. does the work for you.
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