Date Added: May 03, 2008 01:47:07 PM
Sodium is an essential part of your diet. It is essential for the proper functioning of the muscles and the nerves, maintenance of blood volume and many other physiological functions. But too much of sodium in the diet is bad for your health. The American Heart Association (AHA) recommends having less than 2300 mg. of sodium per day. This is equivalent to one teaspoon of salt.
Excess sodium in your diet may have adverse effects on the kidney and may lead to high blood pressure or hypertension, which may lead to heart disease or strokes. Excess sodium intake may also increase the risk of developing stomach cancer.
The most common source of sodium in our diet is common salt or sodium chloride. Ordinary common salt contains about approximately 40% sodium. It is the major source of sodium in our diet. Other sources of sodium are sodium bicarbonate or 'baking soda' and monosodium glutamate or MSG. A teaspoon of baking soda contains about one gram of sodium. Sodium is also available in sodium nitrite (used as a preservative), sodium ascorbate (used as an antioxidant) and some medicines like antacids. But the bulk of sodium in our diet comes from common table salt.
People suffering from renal problems, hypertension and heart disease, must consume a low sodium diet. They should first restrict the excess consumption of table salt. Most foods in their natural states contain some amount of sodium.
Additional sodium is added when these are cooked or processed. So you should be careful about the sodium content of the food which you are consuming. Salt is added to foods like ham, sausages, bacon, smoked fish/meat, canned and processed vegetables, butter, cheese etc.
So if you want to have a low sodium diet, you must avoid all these foods. Instead, you can have fresh vegetables, whole fruits or fruit juice, skimmed milk and other dairy products. You must avoid all types of junk and processed foods, salted nuts, beans, peas etc.
So in order to lead a healthy life, you should restrict your sodium intake as much as possible.
