Hypertension: "A Neglected Disease" & Sodium

"Hypertension is a "neglected disease," according to a report released today by the Institute of Medicine. Despite high blood pressure being the cause of death in 1 of 6 US adults, and the greatest single risk factor for deaths from cardiovascular disease, millions of Americans are developing, living with, and dying from hypertension. The decade from 1995 to 2005 saw a 25% increase in the death rate from high blood pressure.

... the report notes that 87% of adults in the United States ingest more than 2400 mg/day of sodium (1500 mg/day is recommended for individuals middle-aged or older, blacks, or those with hypertension)...

...Using estimates based on 31 trials of sodium reduction, and data indicating that 87% of the American population consumes excess sodium, the prevalence of hypertension can be expected to decrease 5% to 8% if everyone currently on a high-salt diet decreased their salt intake by about 4.5 g/day."

[edited from here]

Too many vegans and vegetarians use Tamari, Bragg's, and/or Soy Sauce recklessly without understanding how much sodium is in these products:

• Reduced Sodium Tamari:  700 mg PER TABLESPOON
• Bragg's Amino Acids:  960 mg per TB (deceiving nutritional label with 1/2 teaspoon serving at 160 mg... it's not a low-sodium alternative to anything)
• Soy Sauce:  533 mg per TB

Not eating meat, eggs, or dairy, isn't a shield against the negative biological impact of too much added oil, sugar, and salt.  The research is in, and the answers are clear:  no added oil and limiting sugar and salt with promotes a healthier and longer life. The days of drenching pressed tofu slices in Tamari, then nutritional yeast, and frying such in olive oil (used to be a favorite of mine) are over.  It's slow suicide until you understand the numbers and the science that supports them, and adapt or evolve accordingly.

Comments

[vgpedlr]

I'm guilty as charged! I love tamari and Bragg's as seasoning, and while I "try" to limit it I truly don't know how much I'm getting. It's also tricky with canned and baked products, sometimes there's a low sodium alternative, sometimes not. I'll try to do better, I promise!

[Pluheez... promise it to yourself! Yeah, it was a major surprise to me a few years ago when I did the numbers on Soy Sauce, et. al. Would that more vegans/vegetarians took the time to do the same and realize that they are NOT immune to the negative impact of too much sodium in their diets.

Cutting back is hard first, but like with fat, you soon begin to appreciate more subtleties in flavors and that less salty food is still wonderful.

Thanks for your note! Best regards, Mark]