There's too much salt in food: American Medical Association

0 Comments | AFP, June, 2006

CHICAGO (AFP) — Restaurants and food processors need to radically reduce the amount of salt they use, the American Medical Association said.

Most Americans consume two to three times the amount of sodium that is healthy and the bulk of that comes from the hidden salt in processed and restaurant foods, the association said.

That excess sodium greatly increases the chance of developing heart disease, hypertension and stroke.

"As a cardiologist, I deal with problems with hypertension . . . sodium is the number one cause of elevated blood pressure," said AMA board member James Rohack.

Rohack said a recent study found that 50 percent of Australians were able to reduce their blood pressure through a combination of exercise and reduced sodium intake....