A US nutrition report suggests lowering the maximum amount of
salt Americans should allow themselves each day, even though
the average person already consumes far more than the old
maximum.
The Institute of Medicine is a scientific organization that
sets the US's recommended levels of nutrients. The Food and
Drug Administration uses the institute's nutrient levels to
calculate the listing of the percentage of the daily
allotment of fat, vitamins and other substances on food
labels. That is, if the label says a given food provides 40
percent of an adult's recommended daily amount of a
particular nutrient, the recommendation is based on the
findings of the Institute of Medicine.
Its salt conclusion could change the sodium content consumers
see on the labels of foods. The government currently
recommends no more than 2,400 milligrams of sodium a day, the
equivalent of a heaping teaspoon of salt. The new
recommendation is only 1,500 mg a day. The new report sets a
daily upper limit of 2,300 milligrams, but does not recommend
exceeding 1,500.
Current studies show that the average person eats more than
4,000 mg a day, three-quarters of it from restaurant meals
and common processed foods like spaghetti sauce and frozen
dinners. Salt is commonly used in processed foods to mask
undesired tastes.
While factors such as weight and exercise play a role, salt
and blood pressure usually go hand-in-hand: Eat more salt,
blood pressure rises. Eat less salt, it drops. Lower blood
pressure means less risk of suffering heart attacks, strokes
and kidney disease.
The Institute of Medicine report also concluded that the rule
"drink at least eight glasses of water a day" is unnecessary.
The average healthy person gets plenty of fluid, it said,
from beverages as well as the water content of fruits,
vegetables and other fluids. So just drink when thirsty.
It also said that most Americans should eat a lot more
potassium -- 4,700 mg a day, roughly double current
consumption. Potassium is found in bananas, spinach,
cantaloupe and numerous other fruits and vegetables. Food
sources are better than special supplements. Potassium lowers
blood pressure and reduces the risk of kidney stones and bone
loss.
The US food industry opposes the salt change. A spokesman
said consumers wouldn't buy foods that suddenly drop sodium
levels because they would taste different. Still companies
are hedging their bets and are hunting new recipes to provide
a gradual decline. Canned foods today contain 40 percent less
sodium than a few years ago.
The American Public Health Association is pushing for the
sodium in processed foods to be cut in half within 10
years.
The 1,500-mg salt level is for healthy younger adults.
Because blood pressure rises with age, the new report says
people over 50 should strive for 1,300 mg, and 1,200 mg for
those over 70.
