Own Correspondent : Use of Salt Alternatives to Reduce Risk of Premature Death
Reducing salt intake reduces the risk of heart disease.
Many people may know the story of ‘Love like salt’. Where the king’s little daughter proves that just as food with too much salt cannot be eaten, food without salt tastes bad.
Therefore, just as moderate salt intake is necessary for health, love should also be balanced.
And scientists say that using salt substitutes instead of salt in food in the long term reduces the risk of heart disease; As a result, life expectancy can increase by 10 years.
Giving this information, the assistant professor of the “Institute for Evidence-Based Healthcare” of Bond University in Australia. Loi Albarcuni said in a report published on CNN.com – Previous studies were short-term, lasting two weeks.
The findings, published in the journal Annals of Internal Medicine, reviewed the results of several studies conducted before August 23, 2023. Most of the participants were 64 years old and at higher than normal risk of heart disease.
In addition to China, studies involving participants from the United Kingdom, Taiwan, Peru, the Netherlands, and Norway focused on the effects of salt substitutes on the body.
It has been shown to decrease sodium in the urine and lower blood pressure; Which worked just like taking medicine.
Albarcuni said – maybe this is the reason for the reduction of death risk.
Although not connected to this study, the director of “Cardiovascular Prevention and Wellness” of “National Jewish Health” in Denver. Andrew Freeman said, “Although this study does not provide strong evidence, one thing is clear that reducing sodium salt intake in addition to potassium intake is beneficial.”
“Sodium chloride or potassium chloride or magnesium chloride – these are salts. And the best way to get potassium is to eat fruits and vegetables” – said this doctor.
Ways to eat less salt
The American Heart Association recommends a daily salt intake of 1,500 mg for most adults. Especially those with high blood pressure. And don’t eat more than 2,300 mg per day.
Salt intake is often high due to eating packaged and restaurant foods, Arberkuni commented in an email message. And some symptoms reveal that salt is being consumed too much. For example, swelling in the body, feeling tired, high blood pressure, increased thirst or increased urine volume.
So check the salt content before buying any packaged food. Use of more salt should be reduced in home cooking. And try to eat salt substitutes instead of salt – advises this researcher.
In his words, it’s not that eating less salt and taking salt substitutes will reduce all heart risk. But it is an effective way to maintain good heart health.