Salt, also known as sodium, has long been used to add flavor, and preserve foods. The fact is most Amercians simply ignore the sodium content in foods, especially frozen foods, and condiments. There is a struggle between the food manufacturers, and consumers health. The manufacturers despirately want the consumer to spend their hard earned money on their particular brand of food. They will do whatever it takes to get consumers to buy. That includes adding more sodium in a product to enhance flavor. The loser is the consumer’s health.

The consumer simply buys on taste with most not paying close attention to the sodium content in foods. According to the Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI) nearly 150,000 American lives could be saved each year if sodium consumption was decreased.

The recommended amount of sodium that should be taken in, per day, is 2300 milligrams. The average American is taking in 3300 milligrams each day. The excess sodium can cause high blood pressure, and an increased risk of heart disease.

The solution to this problem, in my opinion, should be two fold, a campaign to get the word out about reducing sodium, and a gradual, progressive decrease in the sodium of foods. The two biggest culprits are frozen foods, and restaurant foods.

A way to get the word out more would be to put sodium information on the front of packages. However, the other side of the equation is for the consumer to take personal responsibility, and do their due diligence when it comes to sodium content in foods.

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