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Between March 8 and 14 in Argentina, the "salt consumption awareness week" is celebrated. We invite you to be a conscious consumer and to understand why it is so important not to consume too much salt.
Excessive salt consumption is the main risk factor for high blood pressure in the population.
La Organización Mundial de la Salud (OMS) recomienda 5 gr. de sal de mesa diarios como máximo. En Argentina, según datos del Ministerio de Salud de la Nación, el consumo de sal por persona ronda los 12 gr. diarios. La mayoría del sodio que se consume habitualmente proviene de los alimentos procesados o industrializados, donde los consumidores no tienen participación ni conocimiento sobre la cantidad de sal agregada. En nuestro país se calcula que entre el 65% y el 70% de la sal que se consume proviene de dichos alimentos. La producción creciente de alimentos ultraprocesados, la rápida urbanización y la modificación de los modos de vida están cambiando los hábitos alimentarios. Los alimentos muy elaborados son cada vez más elegidos y accesibles.
Hypertension is one of the leading causes of premature death and disability from non-communicable diseases such as heart attack, stroke, and kidney disease.
Populations around the world consume more energy-dense foods that contain lots of saturated fats, trans-fatty acids, sugar, and salt and are poor in micronutrients and dietary fiber. At the same time, by changing their eating habits, people are consuming fewer fruits, vegetables, and fibers (present in whole grains and legumes), which are the key elements of a healthy diet.
How to reduce salt consumption at home?
- Do not add salt during food preparation, replace it with aromatic herbs and seasonings.
- Marinate the meats with herbs, lemon juice, to avoid adding salt.
- Do not put the salt shaker on the table.
- Limit the consumption of snacks and foods rich in sodium such as broths, cold cuts, sausages, canned foods and industrialized bakery products.
- Replace canned foods with frozen foods.
- Choose low sodium products.
