Why is salt bad for you

A.� The negative effects on salt on health were recognised by the Chinese as early as 2000BC, who realised that if too much salt was used in food, the pulse hardens.� Doctors recognise today that most people eat too much salt. On average in the UK, people eat at least 10g of salt a day, which is ten times more than we need. On the whole, we get too much sodium from salt and salt foods, in relation to potassium and magnesium, which are particularly high in fruit and vegetables. A lot of sodium is 'hidden' in baking powder, brine or monosodium glutamate. The net result of too much sodium is water retention and weight gain, anxiety and insomnia, high blood pressure and muscle cramps.

�

Q.� Why are these minerals so important

A.� Minerals act like electricity couriers for the body and brain. As they move in and out of cells, they control whether or not the cell 'fires'. Too much sodium and not enough potassium or magnesium makes you hyperactive in more ways than one. Muscles contract, resulting in physical tension and muscle cramps or spasms. Nerve cells become over-stimulated and you can get anxious or unable to sleep. Since the arteries are surrounded by a layer of muscle, too much sodium and a lack of potassium or magnesium makes them contract - raising your blood pressure.

�

Q.� Why was salt previously so important

A.� It was vitally important in the Middle Ages. In fact the word 'salary' is deriative of the Roman Army's word 'salarium', which means salt allowance. At banquets, if you were seated above the salt, it meant your social standing was higher than those seated below the salt. It's most important role was for pickling food, which was essential in the days before refrigeration.

�

Q.� How do potassium and magnesium work

A.� Potassium works with sodium in maintaining water balance and proper nerve and muscle impulses. The more sodium you eat, the more potassium you need, and it's found in fruit and vegetables, particularly banana.

Magnesium works together with calcium in maintaining bone density and in nerves and muscles. Magnesium also helps balance hormones and helps solve pre-menstrual problems, especially breast tenderness. Magnesium deficiency is the most common cause of muscle cramps and is strongly associated with heart disease.� It is present in green leafy vegetables, nuts and seeds.

�

Q.� How can you reduce the amount of salt in your diet

A.� Eat five portions of fruit and veg a day. Have a spoonful of seeds, such as sunflower or sesame, on cereals. Don't add salt to your food and choose 'low-sodium' products if you can.

�

For more food and drink questions and answers, click here.

�

by Katharine MacColl