Affinity Health: Why is too much salt bad for you?

Affinity Health – providers of affordable health cover for all South Africans – takes a detailed look at salt and its health effects.

Did you know that too much salt can be bad for your health?

Affinity Health has recently taken a look into how much salt South Africans consume here Salt: Do You Eat Too Much? 

The rise of processed foodstuffs has led to South Africans consuming more saturated fats, trans fats, sugars, and salt than ever before.

Salt – the primary source of sodium – is linked to hypertension and an increased risk of heart disease, osteoporosis, stroke, and kidney stones.

But how much is too much and how can you monitor your daily salt intake without compromising on the flavour of food?

Salt (also called sodium chloride) is mainly composed of two minerals, sodium, and chloride, which have various body functions. Sodium is an essential nutrient necessary for the human body as it balances fluids in the blood and maintains healthy blood pressure. 

Too little sodium can lead to hyponatremia, and symptoms of dizziness, confusion, muscle cramps, and seizures.

However, many of us take in more salt than our bodies need due to a high intake of hidden salt in convenience foods.

“Health authorities recommend you consume no more than 2,300 mg of sodium per day, preferably less. This amounts to about one teaspoon or 6 grams of salt,” says Murray Hewlett, CEO of Affinity Health.

“About 75% of the salt in our diet comes from processed food, and only 25% occurs naturally in foods or is added during and after cooking. If you are trying to cut back on salt, be sure to look at food labels. You want to glance at the total amount of sodium, not just hunt for the word ‘salt’ in the ingredient list.”

Read More: A Pinch of Salt?

How to Reduce the Risks of Salt

If you’re a true-blue salt lover, don’t despair. It is possible to re-tune your taste buds to enjoy a less salty flavour. 

• Choose natural foods over processed foods
• Opt for salt-free or reduced salt products
• Avoid takeaways and frozen foods and opt for at-home cooking instead
• Be creative with seasoning by ditching the salt-shaker for wedges of lemon or lime to add more flavour to dishes 
• Avoid canned and pickled goods, including vegetables
• Steer clear of commercially prepared sauces

Remember to consult your healthcare practitioner before adding or removing anything from your diet. For affordable medical cover – have a look at Affinity Health’s packages!

About Affinity Health

Affinity Health aims to provide premier quality, affordable medical insurance to South Africans. We strive to give our clients peace of mind and the highest standard of service when they are faced with injury or illness. We work to deliver innovative solutions that are simple, cost-effective, and proven, so our cover is structured to ensure that you get exactly what you need. For more information, follow us on Facebook, and Instagram.