Salt does not just enhance the flavor of Food and helps preserve it from spoilage . It is also essential for life. Without Salt, your nerves could not conduct control signals , and you do die. In modern society, however a salt shortage in unthinkable. we are surrounded by salt, in almost every processed food we eat. Many of us also sprinkle it heavily on food at the table. The average American consumes each day about twenty to thirty times more salt than he or she needs.

Excess salt can be quite dangerous. It gets into your blood along with digested food and draws extra water with it. This tends to increase blood volume and Blood Pressure, at least among those who are sensitive to its process. Some experts believe that a portion of the public is safe because their kidneys readily excrete all the excess salt. But those unfortunates with a genetic predisposition to ward not handling extra salt so completely and promptly can experience serious hypertension (High Blood Pressure) from today’s typically high levels of salt intake. And unless you are sure you are in the safe group, it is a good idea to restrict salt intake any way you comfortable can.

Are You At Risk?
Estimate Your Risk

You are likely in the salt risk group if any or all of the following are true :

• You have even been measured to have borderline or high blood pressure (above about 140/90).
• Any of your blood relatives (grandparents, parents, siblings) has ever had hypertension.
• Medical lab tests indicates that your blood sodium (salt) levels tend towards the high end of the scale.

Having any of the above does not necessarily means that you have hypertension now. But it does suggest you may increase your risk for developing this silent killer if you keep ingesting too much salt as you grow older.

The Dangers of Hypertension

Unlikely many other deceases, you can have blood pressure without realizing it. Hypertension can reach even lethal levels without you subjectively having a clue until it is too late. That’s one reason why regular checkups are so important. A simple and painless check with the blood pressure cuff will let you are your doctor know what your reading is. If it does come out too high, your physician will suggest further tests, some lifestyle changes (similar to thus listed below), and possible medication to lower the pressure. Without treatment, hypertension can cause dangerous or even lethal heart attacks and strokes, as well as damage to the kidneys and other internal organs.

Ways To Reduce Salt In Your Diet

• Get rid of the saltshaker. Go cold turkey if you can,. Cut down slowly if you must. But cut down to the point where you never or almost never add salt at the table to your food.
• Add only the minimum salt during cooking and baking. If a recipe calls for salt simply to enhance flavor, add the least your taste buds will accept, or replace it altogether with a salt substitute (see because of the imp below).
• Select fresh, whole foods when possible. choose fresh fruit and vegetables for your snacks whenever possible. That’s good advice anytime, as pointed out in chapters 10 through 12. here’s another reason-consuming these foods helps keep your salt intake low.

Zesty Alternatives To Salt

Some may complain that they can not give up salt because of the impact on flavor. They wont enjoy their foods, they fear. are true :

Don’t worry-there are plenty of alternatives :

• Salt substitutes : Table salt is sodium chloride, and the sodium is the troublesome par. Try a salt replacement such as potassium chloride, which provides much of the taste enhancement without any of the sodium.
• Herbs and spices : Better yet, try the incredible array of herbs and spices available to jazz up your food with out hurting your heart. Consider hot peppers, (Jalapeno, Chile, cayenne, and more) not only add zest to food but provide positive health benefits as well.