Shake the Salt Habit - Essay Example

The DASH (Dietary Approach to Solving Hypertension) eating plan, which prescribes a diet comprised of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, low-fat dairy food, and food with limited saturated fat, cholesterol, and sodium, is clinically proven to dramatically reduce blood pressure by infusing enough levels of potassium in the body to counter the effects of sodium. It has been verified by the Tulane University Health Science Center that adequate potassium intake may lower systolic blood pressure by 3 points and diastolic by 2 points.

The level of sodium in the body as well as its effect is tied to an individual's physiological sensitivity to salt. It has been found out that 10-25 percent of the entire population is salt-sensitive meaning that their bodies will respond faster with the reduction or increase in salt intake. Salt sensitivity is determined by heredity as it is passed on through genes and age as elders naturally experience higher blood pressure necessitating the reduction of sodium intake.With the current rise in the number of people who suffer from heart disease, I believe that this article is very helpful and timely.

I completely agree with the information presented. Having a family history of hypertension, I'm seeking ways on how to reduce the risk of acquiring the disease. Reducing sodium intake is probably one of the easiest and most enjoyable ways to avoid heart diseases as it requires me to take in a variety of fresh foods and challenge my creativity in coming up with recipes containing less salt.