Experts At Odds Over Proper Salt Intake
Salt Industry Says Americans Need More Salt In Diets
UPDATED: 1:43 pm EDT June 10, 2005
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BOSTON -- It's a standard ingredient in most kitchens, but health experts have always encouraged limited use of salt. But now a salt lobbying group and some top cardiologists and nutritionists are trying to shake up the debate over how much salt is healthy.
Most Americans know too much salt is not good for them, but most people eat four times as much salt as the United States Department of Agriculture recommends, reported WCVB-TV in Boston.
"It's clear that people need to eat some salt, but we need to eat a lot less salt than the average American eats right now," said Dr. Thomas Moore, of Boston Medical Center.Much of our salt intake comes from the foods we eat. For example, a 10-ounce serving of soup has more than one-third of our recommended daily intake of salt.New government guidelines take a strong stance against eating too much salt, saying, "The higher an individual's salt intake, the higher the blood pressure." They recommend less than 2,300 milligrams, or about 1 teaspoon, of salt each day.But lobbying group the Salt Institute and four leading nutrition and cardiovascular researchers, including the former president of the American Heart Association, are questioning the science behind the recommendation.During a Web news conference Thursday, experts said there is "essentially no evidence that going on a low-salt diet improves the quality of life." Instead, they said improving the diet with fruits, vegetables, minerals and dairy foods will "negate salt's effects on blood pressure.""The Salt Institute is what it is. It is a lobbying group to promote salt consumption," said Moore.Moore, who has written a book on diet and hypertension, said there is plenty of research that has linked excess salt to health problems. He disputes the institute's claims that Americans could afford to use the saltshaker more frequently."Nobody in this country, as long as they're eating, needs to worry about not getting enough salt," said Moore.The Salt Institute said more studies are needed to better assess the risks and benefits of salt. Both sides agreed if you are already predisposed to high blood pressure or heart disease, limiting your salt intake is your best defense.
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Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2005
How's Your Salt Habit?
Video: "It's clear that people need to eat some salt, but we need to eat a lot less salt than the average American eats right now," said Dr. Thomas Moore, of Boston Medical Center.Much of our salt intake comes from the foods we eat. For example, a 10-ounce serving of soup has more than one-third of our recommended daily intake of salt.New government guidelines take a strong stance against eating too much salt, saying, "The higher an individual's salt intake, the higher the blood pressure." They recommend less than 2,300 milligrams, or about 1 teaspoon, of salt each day.But lobbying group the Salt Institute and four leading nutrition and cardiovascular researchers, including the former president of the American Heart Association, are questioning the science behind the recommendation.During a Web news conference Thursday, experts said there is "essentially no evidence that going on a low-salt diet improves the quality of life." Instead, they said improving the diet with fruits, vegetables, minerals and dairy foods will "negate salt's effects on blood pressure.""The Salt Institute is what it is. It is a lobbying group to promote salt consumption," said Moore.Moore, who has written a book on diet and hypertension, said there is plenty of research that has linked excess salt to health problems. He disputes the institute's claims that Americans could afford to use the saltshaker more frequently."Nobody in this country, as long as they're eating, needs to worry about not getting enough salt," said Moore.The Salt Institute said more studies are needed to better assess the risks and benefits of salt. Both sides agreed if you are already predisposed to high blood pressure or heart disease, limiting your salt intake is your best defense.
Previous Stories:
- May 4, 2005: Hidden Salt Can Add Up
- March 11, 2005: Spice Up Meals Without Salt
- February 25, 2005: Shake Your Salt Habit
- February 24, 2005: Consumer Health Group Sues FDA Over Salt Regulation
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