rages. Water now tops the list of our preferred drinks! Not only does water reduce the amount of sodium, which even sugar-free drinks contain, but it also decreases the excess calories consumed with even the purest fruit juices. Pure water is the king of health drinks!
So how much salt is enough? There has been some confusion about this recently, partly because a group of patients with heart failure who had very restricted sodium intake had worse outcomes than those with less-severe restrictions. We need to remember, though, that this is a special population, and general recommendations are not based on such specific groups. It’s commonly accepted that daily intake of sodium (salt) should not exceed 2,300 milligrams; and 1,500 milligrams for those who have higher cardiovascular risk, which includes those over 50 years of age, Africans and African-Americans, and anyone who has high blood pressure, diabetes, or chronic kidney disease. To get the visual picture, 2,300 milligrams represents the amount of salt in a flat teaspoon, and 1,500 milligrams would be just over half this amount! How are you doing with this number?
There’s no doubt that we consume too much salt; less is more healthful. The research is clear that diets with restricted salt (below 2,300 milligrams or 1,500 milligrams) and rich in fruits, nuts, and vegetables, as well as low-fat foods (low-fat dairy, dairy equivalents, and proteins), reduce blood pressure, hypertension, cancer, diabetes, and respiratory diseases.
We need to embrace healthful choices in our lifestyle and diet. Included in this would be the reduction of salt intake. This will help us to be fitter, healthier, and better able to be of optimal service to our God and local communities. In that way, we may indeed be the “salt of the earth,” adding flavor and savor and making a difference—a healthier one!
Peter N. Landless, a board-certified nuclear cardiologist,
is director of the General Conference Health Ministries Department.
Allan R. Handysides, a board-certified gynecologist, now retired,
was a former director of the General Conference Health Ministries Department.