Archive for the ‘hypertension’ tag
Processed Food Carries Higher Cancer Risks
The World Cancer Research Fund and the American Institute for Cancer Research recently looked at how food affects cancer rates. The study showed that added salt and chemical preservatives and colors increased cancer risks.
Many processed foods can be directly linked to an increased risk of stomach cancer, and too much salt, leads to other complications such as hypertension. Processed foods can often lead to obesity too, which can increase the risk of some cancers.
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Other research has shown that about 30% of all cancer deaths can be attributed to poor diet and exercise routines.
Eating as much fresh fruit, vegetables and lean white meat and wild fish can help in reducing these risks.
Just a Small Cut Can Work Wonders
A new study has shown that if Americans reduced their salt intake by half a
teaspoon each day, it would result in 6% fewer new cases of heart disease, and 3% fewer deaths. Although it’s been known for some time that increased sodium intake is a leading cause of hypertension leading to heart disease, salt consumption is up about 50% since the 1970s.
The average American eats 10-12 grams of salt daily, or up to 4,800 milligrams of sodium. The recommended maximum level is about half of this.
One major problem with reducing salt consumption is the amount of processed food products that Americans eat, that contain high levels of salt and Monosodium Glutamate, rather than the salt shaker on the dining room table.
It’s another reason to eat less processed food, and more fresh food cooked at home.
How Much Salt Is Too Much?
We all need some salt. It’s not poison. However, it will effectively slowly posion you if you consume it in the levels that many people on the average salt-laden Western diet do.
We need about a minimum of 500 mg a day. That’s about 1/4 of one teaspoon. There is not an official maximum daily limit, but and most people would be wise to take around 1,500 mg. and it’s recommended not to consume more than about 2,300 mg a day.
Many people eat twice that amount.
About 25% of Americans suffer from hypertension (high blood pressure) and about another 25% are pre-hypertensive, and are on their way to developing the full-blown condition if they continue with a high-salt diet.
We really have no control over the amount of salt in processed, restuarant or fast foods, so it’s really a good idea to limit ones intake of these, and prepare simple meals at home where possible, where we can add less salt when cooking, or simply add a little at the table, if none is added at the cooking stage.
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