Heart-health experts tell us if salt is compatible with a heart-healthy diet.
Salt is a beloved flavor enhancer in most dishes we consume daily.
Every teaspoon of salt contains 2,360 milligrams of sodium, per theUSDA.
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So, can salt be a part of a blood-pressure-friendly diet?
In this article, heart-health experts weigh in.
Whats the Link Between Salt and Blood Pressure?
Salt has whats called an osmotic effect on water that is stored in the bodys tissues and organs.
When it’stoo highfor too long, blood pressure can wreak havoc on health.
While excessive salt can raise blood pressure, its not the only culprit.
Can You Eat Salt If You Have High Blood Pressure?
This may sound like a lot, but just 1 teaspoon of salt contains 2,300 mg of sodium.
Worldwide, the average daily sodium intake ranges from 3,500 to 5,500 mg, says Wiles.
Here are a few tips to curb your salt intake in favor of better blood pressure.
attempt to focus on adding more potassium to the meal to help negate the effects of sodium.
Embrace Herbs and Spices
Look for recipes that leave out salt and allow you to season differently.
Vegetables can be delicious with garlic, dill, rosemary, oregano and thyme.
Cayenne pepper, curry, basil and chives go well with beef.
This gives you more control over the amount of salt used in cooking.
Yet, balancing your intake is vital for managing your condition and your overall health and well-being.
Maintain a blood-pressure-friendly diet by adding a fewlow-sodiumandheart-healthyrecipes to your meal plans.
Always consult your health care provider for help managing high blood pressure.
Your blood pressure may increase within 30 minutes of consuming excess salt, says Routhenstein.
Yet, this increase is not permanent.
Chronic excessive salt intake, along with other risk factors, is what can lead to hypertension.
Your body needs sodium to function optimally, so avoiding it altogether could also be harmful.
Reducing blood pressure by lowering salt intake is possible, but some may also need medication.
The good news is that the benefits of lowering salt intake also happen pretty rapidly, says Orlando.
This equals approximately two-thirds of a teaspoon of table salt.
Yet, the AHA recommends 1,500mg per day as the ideal limit.
