Comparing the amount of salt we eat today to what our ancestors ate

Comparing the amount of salt we eat today to

 what our ancestors ate

Salt has been a part of the human diet for centuries, and its consumption has changed drastically over time. In this blog post, we'll be taking a closer look at how much salt we eat today compared to what our ancestors ate. We'll discuss how our dietary habits have changed, how salt consumption affects our health, and how to reduce the amount of salt in our diets. By understanding the difference between the two, we can make informed decisions about our own salt consumption and health.

The average person eats a lot more salt than their ancestors

Salt has been an integral part of the human diet since ancient times. Our ancestors consumed salt to help preserve food, to increase the palatability of certain foods, and as a medicinal aid. However, recent studies show that the average person now consumes far more salt than their ancestors did.

The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends consuming no more than 5 grams of salt per day. But according to research conducted by The Global Burden of Disease Study 2013, in 2010 the average person around the world consumed over 8 grams of salt daily. This is significantly higher than what our ancestors typically consumed, which was estimated to be around 2-3 grams per day. 

Experts point to the increased availability and affordability of processed food as a major contributor to this dramatic increase in salt intake. Because processed foods usually contain large amounts of added salt, it's easier for people to consume too much without realizing it. This has led to a situation where many people have become salt sensitive, meaning that even small amounts of salt can cause health issues such as high blood pressure, Coronary heart disorder, stroke, or even sure types of cancer.

It’s important to note that not everyone needs to reduce their salt intake to the recommended 5 grams a day. However, cutting back on processed foods and adding more fresh ingredients to meals can be an effective way to reduce salt intake and improve overall health.

The amount of salt in our diet has steadily increased over time

Salt is a staple ingredient in many of our favorite foods and snacks, but it wasn’t always so. In fact, the amount of salt that we consume on a daily basis today is much higher than what our ancestors ate. 

It is estimated that our ancient ancestors consumed less than one gram of salt each day, while the average American consumes over ten times that amount! This drastic difference can largely be attributed to modern processed and packaged food, which often contains high amounts of added salt. 

This increase in salt consumption has important implications for our health. Too much salt can increase our risk of developing high blood pressure and other related illnesses. It can also contribute to weight gain and water retention. 

Fortunately, reducing our salt intake is relatively easy. Cutting out processed and packaged foods, preparing meals from scratch, and being mindful of added salt are all excellent ways to lower our salt intake. Additionally, it’s important to remember that adding a little bit of flavor can still go a long way – herbs and spices are great alternatives to salt when it Comes to improving the flavor of your food.

By comparing our current level of salt consumption to that of our ancestors, we can better understand the importance of reducing our salt intake for improved health. Making conscious changes to our diets can help us get closer to consuming an amount of salt that is healthier for our bodies and better for our overall well-being.

Most of the salt we consume comes from processed ingredients

When it comes to the amount of salt we eat on a daily basis, it's fair to say that we consume far more than our ancestors ever did. The amount of salt in our diets is primarily due to the consumption of processed foods, which make up a large portion of the modern Western diet.

Processed foods have become a major source of sodium for many individuals and account for approximately 75 percent of the total sodium consumed in the United States. Processed foods such as canned soups, frozen dinners, processed meats, and even some condiments contain added salt, sometimes in large amounts. In addition, many prepared sauces and dressings are also high in sodium.

By comparison, our ancestors mainly relied on food sources that were naturally low in sodium. Meat, fish, grains, fruits and vegetables were their primary sources of nutrition and none of these typically contained significant amounts of salt. 

Salt was used by our ancestors as a preservative to help extend the shelf life of certain foods, but it was not typically eaten in high quantities on a daily basis.

It is clear that our modern diets are much higher in salt than what our ancestors ate, and this can have serious health consequences. High levels of sodium consumption can lead to an increased risk of developing heart disease, stroke and high blood pressure.

For those looking to reduce their sodium intake, limiting processed foods is the key. Eating fresh foods whenever possible and avoiding pre-prepared meals will go a long way towards reducing your salt consumption. Additionally, you can look for foods labeled low sodium or no added salt and always check the nutrition facts label to get an idea of how much sodium is in the food you’re consuming.

We need some salt in our diet, but we are eating too much

Too a good deal salt can result in health troubles

We can reduce the amount of salt we eat by making simple changes to our diet