Lower Your Salt Intake to Lower Your Blood Pressure

Salt is an essential part of your daily diet as it aids the movement of your muscles and balances the acids in your blood. The recommended daily intake is equivalent to roughly one teaspoon for adults.

Many of the natural foods that we consume contain a certain amount of salt in them but the manufacturers of processed foods add a higher quantity of salt to their products to enhance their appearance while cooking and ensure an easier cooking process.

So the only way to reduce your salt intake is to consume only fresh foods not the processed, convenience foods that have unfortunately become a way of life today for so many.

One of the reasons that salt is responsible for high blood pressure is the kidneys inability to expel it from the body's system. So by lowering your salt intake you could lower your blood pressure.

You can monitor your salt intake by checking the ingredients contained in the foods that you buy. The content has to be displayed for the benefit of the customer but the customer is often unbothered to check the label or just does not have the time.

However, it is worth noting that foods such as anchovies, bacon, canned soup, canned tuna, and canned vegetables, cheese, cooking sauces, croutons, gravy, ham, hot dogs, olives and pickles have a high salt content and consumption of these foods should be reduced or even stopped for the sake of your health. Therefore, to lower your salt intake and lower your blood pressure healthier alternatives should be used. For instance:

• Add herbs or spices while cooking instead of salt.

• Only buy low salt canned foods and rinse in water before cooking.

• Select only fresh vegetables.

• Condiments should be monitored. Salt as a condiment should be replaced and sauces high in salt exchanged for oregano, basil, parsley, pepper, mustard powder or paprika to name but a few.

Although processed food manufacturers are gradually reducing the amount of damaging salt that they add to their foods it is still advisable to monitor the food that you consume to improve and give yourself a healthier diet.

Getting accustomed to cooking and eating this way could add years to your life and at the same time give you a better quality of life.