THE SHOCKING TRUTH ABOUT SALT

We may use it without thinking, but is salt more harmful than healthful?

- MIRIAM HABTESELLASIE

A generous grind of salt is the finishing touch to a meal for many of us. The average Brit consumes around 8.1g of salt per day – that’s 34% more than the Government’s recommended daily maximum of 6g of salt (2.4g of sodium)*– equivalent to around 1tsp.

If you’re thinking that a few grams couldn’t possibly make a difference to your health, then you're in for a shock. The Department of Health and Social Care suggests that 8,000 premature deaths from strokes and heart disease could be prevented each year if we stuck to the 6g salt limit**. FGY shines the spotlight on salt to discover what it’s really doing to our bodies…

WHY DO WE NEED SALT?

Despite its negative connotations, salt is still essential to a number of bodily functions. ‘It’s a vital component in our blood, and moderate consumption helps support healthy heart function,’ says Dr. Riccardo Di Cuffa, founder and GP at Your Doctor (your-doctor.co.uk).

Although it may seem to go against all we’ve been told, these little grains actually keep our heart rate stable. The presence of sodium ions (found in salt) is essential for the contraction of muscles, including the largest and most important one of all – our heart. It’s also key for bone health, sleep, preserving proper brain and nerve function and aiding digestion.