Pick your poison! I don’t know anyone who doesn’t prefer one or the other. I do know people who crave both, which is scary! I for one am a crunchy/salty freak, if it doesn’t crunch, I generally am not a big fan. Add the salt and you captured my heart. Talking about hearts, did you know that high blood pressure can damage your blood vessels and your heart? Hmmm…..
The good news, a recent study found that replacing regular table salt with a potassium-enriched salt substitute reduced the development of high blood pressure in older adults without leading to episodes of low blood pressure. According to the CDC, nearly half of adults in the United States have high blood pressure which increases their risk of heart disease and stroke! Sure, salt substitutes enhanced with potassium are definitely tastier then Mrs. Dash for sure, however, table salt isn’t the only culprit.
Salt substitutes can be a part of your overall health plan for 2024 however, the researchers have a list of other interventions that may help too:
- Read and compare nutrition facts labels and choose products with the lowest amount of sodium per serving.
- Be wary of condiments and salad dressings, which are often loaded with sodium!
- Choose canned vegetables with no salt added or buy frozen vegetables without high salt sauces.
- Use flavorful ingredients when cooking, such as herbs, spices, onions, garlic, citrus and vinegar.
- Roast vegetables to bring out their natural flavors.
- When eating in restaurants, look for low-salt options and ask that they not add salt when preparing your meal.
High blood pressure can be a silent killer, know what you are eating and enjoy your cravings in moderation. Stay well and stay informed!