It is one of the oldest and most ubiquitous food seasonings. Humans in the past have always tended to build communities either around sources of salt, or where they could trade for it. All through history the availability of salt has been pivotal to civilization. The word “salary” comes from the Latin word for salt because the Roman Legions were sometimes paid in salt, which was quite literally worth its weight in gold. So much importance is given to salt that even Jesus said to his disciples: “You are the salt of the earth”
Salt contains both sodium and chloride. Only 40% of the weight of salt consists of sodium, so you can actually eat 2.5 times more salt than sodium. Salt is good for us. It is necessary for preventing dehydration, for proper transmission of nerve impulses and for normal functioning of cells. If we ate no salt at all, we would die. However, numerous studies have indicated that consuming too much salt can increase the risk of serious health problems, particularly when it comes to cardiovascular health, with research linking high salt intake to high blood-pressure, stroke, and heart disease.
The production of traditional salt in Goa is being carried out in various parts strewn across the length and breadth of the state for more than 1,000 years; however, this once flourishing non-polluting industry is dying a slow death. The salt produced through natural evaporation process was being used in every household before the industrially-produced salt made it to the state. During the Portuguese rule, the traditional salt production also played a role in the economy of the state.
Today, the traditional salt producers are getting very low profits as industrially-produced salt is in more demand. The cost of labour has also increased and there is no support forthcoming from the state government. Due to this and some other reasons, the number of salt pans in the state has decreased.
Indians in particular consume about 3.7 grams of sodium, corresponding to about 9.3 grams of salt per day. Ouch! This is nearly twice the amount recommended by the World Health Organisation (WHO). There is hidden salt in the Indian plate, right from papads to pickles and chutney. This, along with salt we liberally add to food, worsens the plight for Indians as far as blood pressure is concerned.
But how much is “too much” when it comes to salt consumption? Current guidelines recommend limiting salt intake to less than 2,300 milligrams daily – the equivalent to around 1 teaspoon of salt, as part of a healthy diet. A report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released earlier this year found that around 90 percent of adults and children in the US consume more than the recommended sodium intake, with most adults consuming more than 3,400 milligrams daily. These findings are “alarming,” and a lot needs to be done in order to reduce the salt intake around the world to “save lives.”
The basis for which high salt causes bodily harm is a reasonable one; too much salt can cause the body to retain water, which can put additional strain on the heart and blood vessels, raising blood pressure and increasing the risk of cardiovascular diseases. Science is clear: reducing salt lowers blood-pressure and ultimately prevents hundreds of thousands of premature illnesses and deaths.
Since nearly all populations across the world are consuming far more sodium than is healthy, strong government policies are needed, together with industry cooperation and collaboration, to substantially reduce sodium intake and its detrimental effects.
The excessive intake of sodium is an important contributing factor in the genesis of high blood-pressure. One in every four adults have high blood pressure. But many people are unaware that they have the condition. Untreated hypertension increases the risk of heart disease and stroke, the main causes of death around the world. Hypertension can also damage the kidneys and increase the risk of blindness and dementia. That is why hypertension is referred to as a “silent killer.”
High blood pressure shows no symptoms in the body, yet is one of the top reasons of death in the country. In simple words, high blood pressure means that your body is putting an increased pressure on your heart to pump blood across the body. The usual onset of high blood pressure in an individual takes place between the ages of 20 to 50 years.
Here are some ways to cut back your salt: Choose low or no-sodium foods and condiments. Watch foods that are cured, smoked, or pickled. Limit processed foods. Eat whole grains like whole wheat breads, brown rice, whole grain cereals, and oatmeal.
However, do not turn your backs to salt altogether. If our romance with salt in gourmet food is taboo, there are many lessons in life that salt (and sugar) can teach us. For instance, we know that neither sugar nor salt tastes particularly good by itself. But each is at its best when used to season other things. The same happens with love. Use it (like the much-maligned salt) to “season” people, and make the world a better place to live in.”
(Dr. Francisco Colaço is a
seniormost consulting
physician, pioneer of Echocardiography in Goa.)
