High Blood Pressure Salt Intake
The human body needs different types of minerals to function properly. Salt is an essential mineral in this category. Also referred to as sodium in medical terms, common table salt is 97-99% sodium chloride. It has 40% sodium; the remaining part is chloride and a few other chemicals depending on the salt’s origin.
Sodium chloride plays a vital role in various body functions. Some amount of salt is necessary, but any excess intake creates problems. High blood pressure salt intake is a major health issue. Most salt content that people consume comes from processed foods, so you should reduce your salt intake to control HBP.
How Does Salt Affect Blood Pressure?
Salt pulls in more water to remain at the right level in the blood. More salt attracts more water, increasing the blood volume, which in turn raises blood pressure. This is the pressure that blood places on the walls of the arteries. The blood moves continuously through the arteries to supply nutrients and oxygen to different body organs and draw in the waste materials and take them to the organs that help remove them from the body.
Salt Is the Common Source of Sodium
Most people consume a high-salt diet, most of which comes from processed and packaged foods. Those suffering from high blood pressure or hypertension are advised to reduce their sodium intake. This health goal can be achieved by reducing sodium intake to the recommended level.
Most adults are advised not to consume more than 2300 mg of sodium per day. Those suffering from HBP are advised to maintain it at 1500 mg per day. One can bring it down to 1000 mg to improve BP and heart health, but at the same time, some amount of salt is necessary for the body, so removing it entirely from the diet is not recommended.
High Blood Pressure Salt Intake Health Effects
Sodium is essential to maintain the right balance of electrolytes and fluids in the body. Too much sodium in the diet increases BP and causes the walls of arteries to narrow and stiffen over time. This condition becomes a major reason for the development of heart disease.
The risk of heart disease can be reduced by reducing sodium intake. Research suggests that reduced sodium intake helps reduce blood pressure. Individuals on a high-sodium diet face difficulty in reducing their HBP. Those with a low-sodium diet have a lower risk of suffering from HBP and heart disease.
Other Sodium Sources
Sodium is consumed not only with salt but also through many other foods with high sodium content. Most of these food products are packaged and processed foods that have high salt content. Salt is used in these products not only to improve flavor but also to improve texture and increase the shelf life of the food product.
Some natural foods also have higher sodium content. Some of these food items include cheese, olives, seafood, some legumes, and others. Different types of salt, including table salt, sea salt, rock salt, and kosher salt, are sources of sodium. Some prescription and over-the-counter drugs have sodium content as well.
Shopping Low-Sodium Foods
Individuals at risk of HBP or those who already have it should choose low-sodium foods. Initially you may find it difficult to adjust your taste buds to a low-sodium diet, but over time you will overcome this problem and start liking the healthier options.
Most people consume sodium from packaged foods, so it is important to read the product label and see how much sodium it contains. Sometimes the label may refer to sodium by its symbol Na. Due to the increased demand for low-sodium foods, many food product manufacturers now make products with low salt content, and they also print this fact boldly on their packaging.
Choose an unsalted version of snacks like nuts. Do the same thing when buying soups, sauces, and condiments. Many frozen and canned food items use excess salt to preserve the ingredients and increase their shelf life.
You should rely more on fresh vegetables to prepare your dishes. Eat raw fruits rather than packaged juices. Use raw vegetables and fruits for snacks and salads. Avoid adding extra salt to foods that already have it in sufficient amounts. There are many salt-free seasoning alternatives that are not only healthier than salt but also delicious.
All these food options will ensure high blood pressure salt intake is not a problem. Avoid going overboard by completely removing salt from your diet – it can create a new set of health problems. You should always consult your doctor before substituting salt or lowering its intake to a very low level.
Dr. Shimon Storch offers online consultations for high blood pressure. Dr. Storch will evaluate your diagnostic reports and suggest appropriate solutions to reduce your HBP. If you are suffering from HBP, you should first consult your physician. Visit Dr. Shimon Storch’s website for more information on high blood pressure salt intake.
