Spotlight Magazine for North Mansfield March 2015 Spotlight Magazine for West Bridgford March 2015 | Page 6

Spotlight Magazine Pass (on) The Salt National Salt Awareness Week 16th-22nd March 2015 marks the 16th National Salt Awareness Week. Research tells us that a high dietary salt intake is associated with the development of high blood pressure, and an increased risk of stroke and coronary heart disease. Note the word ‘high’ in the previous statement. Average salt consumption in this country is about 8.5g per person per day. This is about one and a quarter teaspoons. I know this because I measured it out and believe me, it doesn’t look a lot. So why all the fuss about reducing our intake by what amounts to just about half a teaspoon? Salt is composed of 40 percent Sodium and 60 percent Chloride. We need Sodium because it regulates water in the body, and helps in the transfer of electrical impulses along our nerve fibre system. But just 1g of salt per day would be sufficient to carry out all these functions. At 950 percent of the required daily amount 9.5g does seem suddenly like a very big number. Salt raises the blood pressure because Sodium encourages the body to retain more water. This increased volume of water in the blood vessels creates higher pressure. Once you have high blood pressure you are more likely to develop heart disease, which is one of the leading killers in Britain today. So, is it just a matter of leaving the salt cellar in the cupboard when we lay the 6 table? Well no: about 75 percent of salt is hidden in processed foods. Brits eat more crisps than the rest of Europe combined, and with each packet, up to 1g of salt! Processed meats, cheese, cereals, bread and ready meals are also high in salt. That’s the bad news – so what can we do about it? Well, we can read the labels and choose foods with the lowest amount of salt. Studies have shown that by reducing our salt intake along with saturated fat, and by increasing our intake of fruit, vegetables and low fat dairy foods like yoghurt, we can reduce our blood pressure. Ideally, this should be combined with maintaining a healthy weight, limiting our alcohol consumption, and increasing our physical activity levels. It sounds straightforward, but in reality we all need a little push sometimes. Why not take advantage of a health MOT at your local Fitness club or Health Spa. Most have facilities for measuring blood pressure and body fat, and many have staff qualified to advise on nutrition. You might be inspired to change your lifestyle. Who’d have imagined that reducing salt intake by just half a teaspoon per day would reap such big rewards. Now that’s got to be food for thought...just don’t add salt! By Louise Addison www.spotlightlocal.co.uk • 0115 822 4995 • [email protected]