Do This One Thing to Lower Your Risk of Heart Disease
Did you know that making one small change to your diet can help your heart?
According to a recent study out of Tulane University, skipping the salt at the table may lower your risk of heart disease. The study published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology showed that cutting down your salt consumption could make a difference in your risk of heart disease and heart failure.
According to Katrine Zhiroff MD, a cardiologist at PIH Health, “Too much sodium can contribute to high blood pressure, one of the leading causes of heart attacks and strokes.” Dr. Zhiroff adds, “The amount of salt you add to your food at the table can be a good indicator of how much sodium you typically consume.”
Additionally, the Tulane University study found that people who always add extra salt to their food had a 28% higher risk of dying prematurely from any cause, not just heart disease, compared to people who rarely or never add salt to their food.
Try these tips for a lower salt diet:
- Taste food first. Don’t automatically add salt. You’ll often find that you don’t need any additional salt to make food taste good.
- Cook with more herbs and spices. Herbs and spices enhance the flavor of food, leaving no need for extra salt.
- Give your palate time to adjust. Your taste buds will soon get used to enjoying food with less salt.
- Eat more whole foods. Even if you don’t taste it, many processed foods contain a lot of salt. Most unprocessed foods are low in salt. If you eat processed foods, read the food labels and choose items with lower sodium content.
PIH Health cardiologists can talk to you about your risk factors for heart disease and can help you understand what steps you can take for better heart health. Ask your primary care doctor for a referral to the heart specialists at PIH Health.
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