| For most Americans, the level of their daily salt | | | | often, overlooked is beverages, especially sports |
| intake greatly outweighs their daily salt need. | | | | drinks. |
| Unfortunately, this is a major problem when | | | | The quickest and easiest way to reduce salt |
| taking into consideration that heart disease and | | | | intake is to increase the amount of fresh foods |
| high blood pressure are two of the leading causes | | | | that are eaten. Fresh vegetables and fruits contain |
| of health problems and death in Americans. | | | | no salt and generally taste better too. They |
| There are several ways to lower your salt intake, | | | | usually do not take much longer to prepare than |
| some are obvious and some are not. Generally, | | | | heating up the canned ones. And another great |
| most people think if they just stop adding salt to | | | | benefit is they usually have more vitamins and |
| their foods that this will take care of the problem. | | | | minerals that the canned varieties too. |
| However, adding salt to food usually does not | | | | Another great way to reduce salt intake is to |
| increase the sodium enough to have a negative | | | | drink more water. Not only does this help the |
| affect. The biggest contributor to elevated salt | | | | body to flush out unneeded salt, but water does |
| levels is the amount of processed foods that are | | | | not contain salt like many of the popular sports |
| eaten. This can include any canned food, | | | | drinks do. Most people do not realize how many |
| microwavable foods, and "box" meals such as | | | | beverages contain salt and how quickly that can |
| Hamburger Helper. Another source that is, quite | | | | add up throughout the day. |