According to a study released by the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada and the Canadian Stroke Network, cutting the average Canadian's salt intake by half would eliminate hypertension in one million Canadians.
It would also double the number of Canadians with adequately controlled hypertension and potentially save the health-care system 430 million dollars per year.
Currently in Canada about five million adults, or a quarter of the adult population has hypertension and more than 9 in 10 Canadians are estimated to develop high blood pressure if they live to be 80 years of age.
According to the researchers who conducted the study, Canadians are consuming far more than the Tolerable Upper Intake Level.
These findings come on the heels of a recent Statistics Canada report that found Canadian adults consume on average 3100 milligrams a day of sodium, more than twice the amount considered adequate for health.
To view the full study, please visit the Canadian Journal of Cardiology.
All research on this web site is the property of Leslie Beck Nutrition Consulting Inc. and is protected by copyright. Keep in mind that research on these matters continues daily and is subject to change. The information presented is not intended as a substitute for medical treatment. It is intended to provide ongoing support of your healthy lifestyle practices.