"Salt is especially high in packaged foods," warns Heart and Stroke Foundation spokesperson Dr. Beth Abramson. "Three in 10 Canadians have been diagnosed with high blood pressure caused by eating too much salt. About one-third of Canadians are particularly sensitive to the effects of salt on their blood pressure. For these people, excessive salt increases the amount of blood in the arteries, raising blood pressure and putting them at risk for heart disease and stroke."

Most of the sodium Canadians consume (77 per cent) comes from processed foods sold in grocery stores and in food service outlets.

To help reduce added, unnecessary salt:

Cut down on prepared and processed foods. Check the Nutrition Facts table on food products for sodium or salt content. Eat more fresh vegetables and fruit. Experiment with other seasonings, such as garlic, lemon juice, and fresh or dried herbs. Lower your salt intake little by little each day.

It is estimated that in Canada excess sodium intake is responsible for one million cases of high blood pressure ’ the leading cause of stroke and a major cause of heart disease.

Source: Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada