There
are some helpful benefits associated with sodium: controlling fluid levels and
assisting in muscle functions/contractions.
However, if the kidneys are having a hard time regulating the amount of
sodium in the body, or if someone is more easily affected by salt, this may
result in higher levels of sodium remaining in the blood. This excess sodium binds to water, invariably
causing more water to enter into the bloodstream, as well as increasing the
total amount of blood within the body.
With prolonged increases of blood throughout the body, the blood vessels
may potentially stretch too much and accrue damage to the blood vessel
walls. In addition to this, the heart
will be required to pump greater amounts of blood throughout the body, placing
ever-greater stress on the heart. High
blood pressure carries significant risks for ailments like strokes, heart
attacks, and kidney failure.
Since the 1940’s, evidence has shown that
by lowering sodium levels in a person’s diet, it could also lower blood
pressure. However, overindulgence of
sodium still remains a prominent issue today.
An average American will consume approximately 3,400 milligrams of
sodium each day, easily over double the recommended amount of 1,500 milligrams
stated by the American Heart Association. On top of this, over a third of the United
States population suffers from high blood pressure. Multiple organizations have suggested that we
aim to lower our sodium consumption to 2,300 milligrams per day. While this is still above the AHA recommended
amount, it would be a promising start.
In order to initiate change, the first step may be through
awareness. A primary example comes from
the fact that more than 75 percent of the sodium in our diets comes from
processed foods. By giving more
attention to labels, it may help individuals recognize the type of foods that
they are eating. At some point, it would
be a great step if food labeling requirements enforced sodium amount
disclosures on menus and menu boards throughout the country. Philadelphia currently requires this
disclosure, and places like California and Maryland are in the process of
adding this requirement as well.
This is very interesting. I have actually recently heard that salt intake and its effect on blood pressure depends on the person. There are people who are salt sensitive and increased sodium intake will result in increased blood pressure but for those who are not salt sensitive it will have no effect. I've actually heard this from multiple cardiologists. But nevertheless I think a program in which Americans decrease their salt intake is a good thing because it will impact those who see an effect and it certainly won't hurt anyone.
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I found this post very interesting, and, of course, relevant to our everyday lives! We don't often realize how much stress we cause our bodies' just from our dietary intakes... We are so accustomed to our fast food diets, processed foods, sweet and salty snacks that we don't even consider the impacts this sort of diet will have on our health. I agree, that we should require restaurants, manufacturers, fast food joints, etc to label their products with the hope of teaching people to see just how much salt, sugar, and fat they are putting into their bodies - compared to the normal daily requirement. If we don't start to treat our bodies better and reduce the amount of salt, specifically, we will be experiencing cardiovascular diseases at early and early periods of life.
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