The most essential ingredient of our diet is SALT, so lets make sure we eat it in the right quality. Salt is a mineral composed primarily of sodium chloride (NaCl) and is used in food for both preservation and flavor.
1. Too much or too little salt in the diet can lead to various cramps in the muscle, dizziness, or electrolyte disturbance.
2. Salt intake has increased during modern times. Scientists have become aware of health risks associated with high salt intake, including high blood pressure and Left ventricular hypertrophy (cardiac enlargement)
3. Drinking too much water, with insufficient salt intake, puts a person at risk of water intoxication
A daily salt intake of 3.75 to 6 grams (0.75 to 1 teaspoon) is good for health. So have you consciously started to reduce salt intake?
Here are some tips that will help...
1. Salt preference is an acquired taste that can be unlearned. It takes about 6-8 weeks to get used to eating food with much lower quantities of salt. So instead of salt add flavour to cooked food by adding black pepper, ginger, garlic, lime and other fresh herbs and spices.
2. Avoid high salt foods - convenience, processed, canned and frozen food. Also avoid papads and pickles.
3. Increasing your water intake when you eat too much salt can help mitigate the effects.
#Avoid reaching for the salt shaker.
