We all hear the message that we should eat less salt, but how much should we eat, and what else do we need to know? Here are 10 facts about salt;

1. Salt is essential to human life, responsible for hundreds of vital functions in the human body.

2. The average adult in the UK consumes 10g of salt each day.

3. The UK government suggests that an adult consumes no more than 6g of salt each day (about a teaspoon). This translates as 2.5g sodium. Children need less than this, and babies under the age of one should not have any salt added to food.

4. On a label salt may be described as salt or sodium. Often foods are labeled as sodium because the figure is smaller, making the food seem lower in salt.

5. 75-90% of the nations salt intake comes from processed food. If you avoid processed food and cook from home, it is acceptable to add salt to your food.

6. The food industry has been reluctant to reduce salt levels in food as this would reduce sales of soft drinks; the saltier our food, the more we drink.

7. A high salt intake may result in high blood pressure (hypertension). In the UK one third of the population has high blood pressure, which triples the risk of developing heart disease, heart attack and stroke. Hypertension may not present any symptoms, and so you need to have your blood pressure checked regularly.

8. Bread is the single highest dietary source of salt. There are now reduced salt breads available. If you suffer with hypertension it is a good idea to make your own salt-free bread.

9. Sea water contains 2.5g of salt per 100g, so do Golden Grahams Breakfast Cereal. Your cereal may contain a hidden source of salt. Shredded wheat and also oats contain only trace levels of salt.

10. Natural sea salt contains as many as 80 minerals needed by the human body. Refined table salt, widely available in supermarkets is chemically treated, and the beneficial minerals are removed. Aluminium silicate is often added; aluminium is toxic to the human nervous system and linked to Alzheimers disease.

Until next time, Stay healthy, Vikki.

Vikki Scovell

Vikki Scovell BA(hons) PG DIP is a fully qualified Personal Trainer and Fitness Coach. She is a qualified Nutrition Adviser and runs successful Community Exercise classes. Vikki is a consultant in Healthy Eating and Exercise initiatives to schools in the independent sector and publishes School and General Healthy Living newsletters. She has recently been studying specific health problems and how to improve them through exercise and diet. Vikki lives in Bristol in the UK with her partner and two young children.