1 in 10 U.S. Deaths Blamed on Salt

ABC News ^ | March 21, 2013 | Katie Moisse and some possible grant junkies

[Tolerance Sucks Rocks]

On the heels of a study linking sugary drinks to 25,000 U.S. deaths a year, new research suggests salty food is even more dangerous.

The new study, by the same Harvard research team, linked excessive salt consumption to nearly 2.3 million cardiovascular deaths worldwide in 2010. One in 10 Americans dies from eating too much salt, the researchers found.

“The burden of sodium is much higher than the burden of sugar-sweetened beverages,” said Dr. Dariush Mozaffarian, an epidemiologist at the Harvard School of Public Health and author of both the salt and sugary drink studies. “That’s because sugar-sweetened beverages are just one type of food that people can avoid, whereas sodium is in everything.”

Mozaffarian and colleagues used data from 247 surveys on sodium intake and 107 clinical trials that measured how salt affects blood pressure, and how blood pressure contributes to cardiovascular disease like heart attacks and stroke.

“From that we could determine the health effects of sodium,” he said, adding that one out of three deaths due to excessive sodium occurred before age 70. “It’s really affecting younger adults, not just the elderly.”

The study, presented today at the American Heart Association’s annual meeting in New Orleans, adds to mounting evidence that packaged and processed foods containing high levels of salt for flavor and shelf life can take a heavy toll on cardiovascular health.

“It’s really amazing how pervasive it is,” Mozaffarian said of salt. “For the average person, it’s very hard to avoid salt – you have to be incredibly motivated, incredibly educated, have access to a range of foods and do all the cooking yourself.”

But not everything is easy to whip up at home, Mozaffarian added. Bread and cheese are the top two sources of sodium in the U.S.

“It’s everywhere,” he said.

[miliantnutcase]

That movie was way ahead of it’s time. Little did anyone know that was going to be New York someday.

[doc1019]

One fine copy of one fine rant.

[GGpaX4DumpedTea]

“(Canine equivalent: not going there.)”

You mean you won’t go to male-bitch, i.e. Reid, McConnell, Boehner...?

[EEGator]

Denis Leary, right?

[Revolting cat!]

I knew the country was in trouble when Kissinger (or was it Brzezinski?) signed the SALT Agreements! Now what?

[Ms Mable]

Salt is currently cheap....that will soon change. I wonder what (high priced) artificial salt substitute will be PUSHED on us?
Mmm, I think I’ll sit down and enjoy a nice salty pretzel.

[Olog-hai]

Too numerous to mention.

[jdege]

The problem isn't that we're eating too much salt, it's that we're eating too many carbs.

Insulin's impact on renal sodium transport and blood pressure in health, obesity, and diabetes

[Lancey Howard]

I absolutely agree with this.

[doc1019]

Yep, in Demolition Man

[Vendome]

It bombed?

[fieldmarshaldj]

By the time the left is done with this country, the only thing we’ll be free to enjoy is homosexual sex.

[EEGator]

I wonder what the three shells are for?

[HoneysuckleTN]

“That’s because sugar-sweetened beverages are just one type of food that people can avoid, whereas sodium is in everything.”

High-fructose corn syrup is in everything, too.

This so-called "doctor" should learn the difference between sugar and HFCS. I can't find many soft drinks sweetened with real cane sugar. Most of what I find is sweetened with HFCS. I wish I could find more beverages with real sugar. I have eliminated as much HFCS from my diet as possible, so I rarely drink soft drinks anymore. When I want a carbonated drink, all I can find locally is Sierra Mist, made with cane sugar.

Lately, I've been making my own beverages, besides plain ol' iced tea. I use half flavored tea bags (like Celestial Seasonings) and half green tea. I add 1 tablespoon raw apple cider vinegar to a half gallon--gives it a hint of tartness. Supposedly, if you make the tea with just the flavored tea bags and add the raw ACV, it tastes like Kool-Aid. Haven't tried it that way with just the flavored tea bags yet.

"Bread and cheese are the top two sources of sodium in the U.S."

Most breads in the store are made with high-fructose corn syrup, too. I make most of my own bread with sea salt and raw cane sugar.

Since I've cut out the major sources of high sodium from my diet, I can eat all the cheese I want! :)

[servo1969]

Experts agree 9 out of 10 deaths are the result of dying.
Film at 11:00.

[Stentor]

Your body needs sodium. It is one of the core electrolytes. With out it you will go into seizures.

Just add generous amounts of water and a little bit of a stroll.

[HoneysuckleTN]

In fact, I replaced the soy sauce with this and no one could tell the difference. It’s called Bragg, Liquid Aminos, Natural Soy Sauce Alternative. It’s only $4 bucks for 16 ounces and there is no reason not to use it.

Thanks for the tip! I switched to the low-sodium soy sauce, but it's still quite salty. I'll give this a try.

[doc1019]

Next to the Pyramids, one of the greatest mysteries of the ages. LOL!

[catnipman]

Almost 100% of people who die live in countries with a government.

[Jeff Chandler]