Are you eating too much salt?
Too much salt can lead to high blood pressure, cause major heart problems, which remains the biggest cause of death worldwide, yet people are still severely underestimating how much salt they consume on a daily basis.
New research from the leading reduced sodium salt brand, LoSalt, shows that after the fat content of food, salt is the public’s second biggest concern when it comes to what they eat. A large majority – 84 per cent – also recognise that too much salt in the diet isn’t healthy.
However despite this, the UK appears to be in denial, or unclear, of the scale and severity of excess salt consumption in this country.
Half of people do not think as a nation we are consuming too much salt and just 14 per cent think that they personally consume too much salt. Official figures show that average consumption in the UK is 8.1g, compared to the maximum recommendation of 6g.
When it comes to using salt, 28 per cent of people admit they are not actively trying to reduce their salt consumption and just one in ten say they avoid red traffic lights for salt on food. The other area for confusion is rock and sea salt, both of which are popular amongst TV chefs. One in six people incorrectly believe ‘gourmet’ salts are better for you.
Award winning dietician Azmina Govindji said: “It is the sodium in salt which is linked to high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease and strokes. Despite health warnings, as a nation we are still eating far too much salt and as a result, too much sodium. Whether it is eating at home or eating out, the salt added during cooking or at the table represents about 20% of our salt intake. Although this may sound like a small amount, it is this salt which is the easiest to modify – and it can make a significant difference to our overall health. Using salt is very habitual and it’s something we can gradually wean ourselves off. If you really can’t go without salt then it is better to use a reduced sodium option as by definition it contains less sodium and is therefore a healthier alternative to regular salt.”
After cancer, the survey showed that the nation’s two biggest health concerns are heart disease and high blood pressure. 28% are also worried about stroke. All of these conditions are linked to a high salt and sodium intake.