The truth about sodium (salt) in your diet

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Excess sodium in the diet is harmful to everyone because it can cause serious health problems such as heart disease and strokes (CVA, stroke), among others. Keep reading to learn why abusing salt is not good and what you can do to reduce your intake.

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Julián loves salt. Whenever he sits at the table, even before tasting the food, he grabs the salt shaker and sprinkles a good dose of salt on his plate. For him, everything lacks flavor, and he isn’t very interested in hearing about the risks of consuming too much salt because he has heard "out there" that a high-sodium diet is only harmful to those with heart disease or high blood pressure issues.

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We’re not going to say that sodium isn’t important for the diet, because it is, as long as it’s in moderation. Everything in moderation. But to understand the whole story about salt, I’ll start by explaining why sodium is necessary for our body:

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Even though it’s known to be necessary for health, it’s essential not to abuse it because excess increases the risk of developing high blood pressure, heart disease, and strokes. In the United States, there is special concern because heart problems are the leading cause of death for both men and women each year.

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How much sodium is too much?

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Why is too much salt harmful?

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Excess sodium intake mostly comes from canned foods and packaged or processed foods. Take note of these tips to maintain a healthy sodium level.

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2. Learn to read food labels carefully before you buy. Check if they have a very high sodium percentage. If so, avoid them. Here’s a guide for you:

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3. Don’t overdo it with high-sodium condiments like soy sauce, ketchup, mustard, etc.

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5. If you eat out at a restaurant, ask for your dish to be prepared without salt or to be low in salt.

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It’s true that reducing salt intake isn’t easy. Especially since, due to excess, taste buds have become accustomed to its flavor, and when it’s lacking, as happens to Julián, many people feel that food has no taste. But that’s not true. By following the tips I’ve given you and monitoring your daily diet, you can learn to control the amount of salt you consume.