Salt is usually hygroscopic and draws fluids from surroundings. In the same way, much salt in the blood circulation results in osmosis (i.e. movement of fluid from a region of lower concentration to a region of higher concentration, usually through a semi-permeable membrane). Because of the presence of salt, the blood acquires increased ionic concentration and consequently exerts a greater osmotic pressure on the surroundings, thereby drawing other fluids through the semi-permeable walls of the vessels into the channel.
This results in increase in volume and a corresponding increase in blood pressure (HBP). People already with the disease must therefore watch their salt intake particularly if there has been incidence of hypertensive individuals(s) in the family. The uncontrolled build-up of pressure sometimes causes some veins supplying blood to the brain to rupture, causing hemorrhage in the brain. This result in apoplexy (stroke) and partial or total paralysis of some parts of the body.
The average individual in the world today consumes about 6 to 18 grams of salt daily. That is roughly one to three teaspoonfuls. Your body actually needs only about 0.5grams of salt each day. Reducing the amount of sodium you consume may help you reduce or avoid high blood pressure. This is important because people with high blood pressure are more likely to develop heart disease and stroke. These are the numbers-one and three killers respectively in the world today.
American Heart Association Sodium Recommendations
Healthy adults should reduce their sodium intake to not more than 2400mgs per day. This is about 1 teaspoon of sodium chloride (salt). To illustrate; the following are sodium equivalents in diet.
¼ teaspoon salt= 600mg sodium.
½ teaspoon salt=1200mg sodium.
¾ teaspoon salt=1800mg sodium.
1 teaspoon salt=2400mg sodium.
1 teaspoon baking soda=1000mg sodium.
Sources of Sodium
Most foods in their natural state contain sodium. But most sodium in our diet is added to food while it is being commercially processed or prepared at home. That is why you need to be aware of both natural and added sodium contents when you choose foods to lower your sodium intake. When buying prepared or prepackaged foods, read the labels. Many different sodium compounds are added to foods. These are listed on food labels. Watch for the words soda and sodium and the symbol “Na” on labels; these words show that sodium compounds are present.
