A-Salted?

Too much salt in the human diet has detrimental effects on health. For example, it raises the blood pressure, increasing the risk of a stroke. Many people in 'Western' populations, when they eat, automatically reach for the salt. Up to 20% of their total sodium intake, is added to food at the table. A recent study suggests that this added salt can reduce life expectancy (https://www.theguardian.com/society/2022/jul/11/adding-salt-table-food-linked-earlier-death-study ). The study was carried out on 500,000 middle-aged Britons. Adding salt to food at the table, may be a proxy for a less healthy lifestyle. It was found, however, that using the salt dispenser, knocked 2 years off the life expectancies of men and 1.5 years off women. This study did not include the seasoning, that was added in the cooking and/or manufacturing processes. Many low quality processed foods, include high salt levels as a 'taste enhancer'. Although the study has these limitations, it at least suggests that a modest reduction in sodium intake (by adding less or no salt to food at the table), would have a measurable health benefit. Go easy on that salt!