he statistics are staggering – 25% of all adults, or about five million Canadians, have hypertension. And, if you live to 80, there’s a 9 in 10 chance that you will too.

Salt is a leading cause of hypertension and there’s a high probability that you‘re exceeding the recommended daily amount. In fact, reducing salt intake would not only eliminate high blood pressure in one million Canadians, it would save the health care system $430 million in health costs annually.  

How much is ok? 
Adults consume an average of 3,100 mg of sodium a day in the foods they eat – about 35% more than suggested and more than twice the amount considered adequate for health.

An additional 10 to 20% of salt is added in cooking and at the table. Even if making a concerted effort to stop adding salt, it’s hidden in many foods. The Center for Science in the Public Interest released a review of salt content in meals at many fast food chains. For example, Red Lobster's Admiral Feast has a total of 7,107 mg of sodium, the equivalent of more than three days worth of sodium allowed for a person not at risk of hypertension. 

It is recommended that the average at-risk, middle-aged person already diagnosed with hypertension consume no more than 1,500 mg of sodium daily. Otherwise, the average adult can have up to 2,300 mg of sodium a day, equivalent to a teaspoon.