Monday, January 25, 2010

Benefits of Less Salt



According to www.SaltHealth.org, salt is an important element to all humankind. Salt plays various roles in human's biochemical body system. Why is salt so important to us? For one, salt is an important electrolyte in our body, and it lives up its role to maintain the critical osmotic balance in our body cells. Other than that, salt is also functions especially in nerve impulse signaling.

Generally, salt consists of two common components which you've probably know about it, namely sodium and chloride. Sodium regulates many biochemical processes in human body, for example, human hydration and pH level. While chloride enables the blood to carry carbon dioxide from out tissues to lungs.

Though salt has various functions in our body, but salt, generally is only needed for a minute amount. According to American Heart Association, dietary sodium allowed for intake per day is about 3,000 miligrams (which is 3 grams). Regarding to a recent study done by US researchers from the University of California, a small reduction in daily salt intake could reduce heart attacks, strokes, as well as deaths in Americans.

Based on the American population, the researchers suggested that by reducing a small amount of salt intake for about one half teaspoon (approximately 1,200 mg of sodium), discoveries such as these: 11 per cent fewer new cases of heart disease, 13 per cent fewer heart attacks, 8 per cent fewer strokes, and 4 per cent fewer deaths; were found.

1 comment:

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