PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — There is nothing wrong with salt. The problem is when we consume too much. This can increase the risk of heart disease, kidney disease and certain forms of cancer.
So, how much salt should we be consuming? For the best heart health, the number is no more than 1,500 mg. Our bodies work fine with about 500 mg.
How much salt is 1,500 mg? About one teaspoon per day.
Some ways to cut down on salt include reading labels and looking for sodium content. Other ways include eating fresh fruit with plenty of vegetables, staying away from fast food, canned soups and eating most of your meals at home.
Get more medical reports from Dr. Brian McDonough.
KYW Newsradio’s Medical Reports are sponsored by Independence Blue Cross.