Which one are we to believe?
On every UK cooking program, chefs add salt and pepper. Food tasters who judge dishes criticize a lack of the proper seasoning. However, the right amount of a certain taste differs according to the individual's taste. We are led to believe we can adjust our taste-buds over several weeks if we reduce salt intake. Yet around 75% of the salt we eat comes from foods such as bread, breakfast cereal and ready meals.
We're told too much salt can cause raised blood pressure, which increases the risk of heart disease and stroke. Let's see how to cut down on the despised additive.
Use black pepper as seasoning instead of salt. Try it on scrambled egg, pizzas, fish and soups.
Add fresh herbs and spices to food like garlic, ginger, chilli and lime in stir fries.
Make your own stock and gravy instead of using cubes or granules.
Try baking whole vegetables in their skin such as potatoes, red peppers, tomatoes, courgettes, fennel, parsnips and squash to bring out their flavor.
The researchers examined 31,500 people’s risk of high blood pressure and cardiovascular disease from Health Survey England results in 2003, 2006, 2008 and 2011.
Average salt intake fell by around 15 per cent in recent years, while deaths from heart disease were down by 40 per cent and stroke deaths by 42 per cent.
The reduction in salt is believed to have played a key role by lowering blood pressure.
~ In the second study led by scientists at UC-Davis showed sodium intake is controlled by networks in the brain, not by the salt we consume.
The American Journal of Hypertension's article found that humans have a specific range of sodium intake each day, which has stayed constant during 50 years and across 45 countries. The team's new study defines the normal range of salt intake for humans, showing that the past guidelines have been well below human needs.
So, who are we to believe?
'Everything in moderation,' my wise father used to say.