With the rising prevalence of hypertension (medical term for high blood pressure) across the world, attention has been turned to changing dietary habits as part of non-pharmaceutical intervention. In particular, most of us would have heard of the need for low sodium intake in hypertensive people. But how much sodium exactly can be considered "low"?
The recommended dietary allowance (RDA) for sodium is actually 2300 milligrams (2.3 grams) per day for normal healthy individuals, though newer guidelines advocate for a lower threshold of 1500 mg per day. The latter is especially so for hypertensives to reduce further increments in blood pressure. This translates to roughly 3/4 to 1 teaspoon of table salt (sodium chloride) per day.
Based on our intake of table salt alone, practically all of us are already consuming an excessive amount of sodium daily without realising it. This is alarming, especially considering the fact that sodium can come from various other sources, such as monosodium glutamate (MSG, otherwise known as Aji-no-moto)! Other food additives such as sodium citrate and sodium nitrate act as silent culprits too.
Regardless of whether you have hypertension or not, it would be a good idea for you to start cutting out such substances from your food whenever you can help it. This includes eating home-cooked food, and requesting the chef to add less salt and MSG if you are eating out. Such measures will help to keep you in the pink of health.
