HHS HealthBeat (June 8, 2009)

Easy on the salt

From the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, I’m Ira Dreyfuss with HHS HealthBeat.

Here’s a finding that could raise your blood pressure – more than 2 out of 3 adults are in groups that should eat no more than 1,500 milligrams of sodium per day. These groups include people with high blood pressure, blacks, and people over the age of 40.

In 2005 and 2006, on average, Americans were eating over 3,400 milligrams of sodium a day, mainly as salt.  Choosing foods lower in salt and eating more fresh fruits and vegetables can benefit everyone.

At the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, researcher Darwin Labarthe points out the risk of too much salt:

[Darwin Labarthe speaks] "Longterm studies have shown that the level of salt intake, predicts the occurrence of heart attacks and strokes, and other cardiovascular complications."

The study is in the CDC’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.

Learn more at hhs.gov.

HHS HealthBeat is a production of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. I’m Ira Dreyfuss.

Last revised: May 7, 2011