Too much salt can increase your blood pressure, which can cause a long list of problems including hypertension, artery damage, stroke, heart or kidney failure, and the long list goes on. Less sodium in the U.S. diet could save 280,000 to 500,000 lives over 10 years. We need less than 1,500 milligrams of sodium daily. Here's a breakdown to help you take control of your sodium intake and understand just how much is in table salt.
- 1/4 teaspoon salt = 600 milligrams sodium
- 1/2 teaspoon salt = 1,200 milligrams sodium
- 3/4 teaspoon salt = 1,800 milligrams sodium
- 1 teaspoon salt = 2,400 milligrams sodium
More Nutrition Quick Tips
In addition to lowering blood pressure, shaking some of the sodium out of your diet could also help curb your sugar cravings. Why? Salty foods tend to cause tightening of our body fluids and tissues, while sweet foods do the exact opposite, causing the body to expand and relax.
If an excess of salty fluids is consumed, our body usually craves sweets as a way to maintain balance. By cutting down on salt, you'll automatically cut down on sugar.
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