Brits would be better off choosing something from the office fruit basket rather than a bag of crisps when they are peckish, as research reveals the dangers of a high salt intake.
Eating lots of salt is linked to a "significantly higher" risk of strokes and cardiovascular disease, says the study published in the British Medical Journal.
The review of 13 studies worldwide involving more than 170,000 people revealed that a 5g lower daily salt intake reduces stroke risk by 23 per cent and cardiovascular disease by 17 per cent.
Carried out by the World Health Organization’s Collaborating Centre for Nutrition and the European Society of Hypertension Excellence Centre in Hypertension, the research showed that the effect is greater, the larger the difference in salt intake.
"Our study supports current recommendations to reduce substantially salt intake worldwide to avoid unnecessary strokes and other cardiovascular events," said senior author Professor Pasquale Strazzullo.
According to the NHS, the recommended amount of salt per adult, per day, is six grams, or one full teaspoon.
Isabel Carter
Related News
- Office fruit apples 'fantastic for weight-watchers' - May 6th, 2011
- Lower heart disease risk 'with office fruit' - May 5th, 2011
- People 'could protect brains' with fresh fruit - May 4th, 2011
