This finding should not be surprising because increasing your potassium intake and reducing the amount
of sodium you consume makes you less vulnerable to cardiovascular diseases.
In this case, the
extra sodium you consume still needs water to balance it out, but without sufficient water in your diet, your body may pull water from within your cells.
Using data from the 2011 - 2012 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, researchers at the CDC examined the eating habits of more than 2,100 children between ages 6 and 18 and found that the average amount of
sodium consumed by kids each day was a shocking 3,256 milligrams, not including salt that was added at the table.
We all know the Standard American Diet could use a major overhaul, and sodium is a good place to start, with more than 70 percent of
sodium consumed coming from processed foods.
An estimated 77 % of U.S. consumers» sodium intake comes from processed and prepared foods.3 As consumers become increasingly aware of how
much sodium they consume and the potential health risks, convenient low - sodium options have added appeal.
The company seeks to promote the consumption of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean protein and low - fat dairy, as well as limiting the number of calories, saturated fats, sugars and
sodium consumed.
It's also rich in potassium, which can help blunt the impact of
any sodium you consume.
«Much of
the sodium we consume is found in processed food,» Cook said.
The Dietary Guidelines for Americans and the American Heart Association recommend eating less nutrient - poor foods, and limiting the amount of saturated fat, trans fat, added sugars and
sodium consumed.
Data that contributed to the final conclusion includes studies showing that the use of herbs and spices drastically cuts down on the amount of
sodium consumed, because taste is not compromised, and research demonstrating that particular herbs and spices actually decrease risk of disease by increasing insulin sensitivity and improving heart health.
Am I correct in understanding the ratio of potassium to
sodium consumed is more important that the amount of sodium consumed by itself?
Most of
the sodium consumed by Americans comes from processed foods.
Research has shown that for every 500 mg of
sodium you consume each day beyond the 1500 mg recommended by the American Heart Association, your stroke risk jumps by 17 %.