Christin Klose/dpa-tmn
The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends consuming no more than 5 grams of salt per day. A nutritionist believes that this is a critical point, since each organism needs different amounts.
Are you in a hurry? blue News summarizes for you
- The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends consuming no more than five grams of salt per day.
- A nutritionist has a less restrictive view and emphasizes that everyone has different needs.
- People with high blood pressure or other pre-existing conditions should consume salt with caution.
- In healthy people, however, salt consumption is less problematic than you might think.
- Parents should not put children on a diet that is too low in salt. According to the expert, this could even lead to neurological problems.
How much salt is actually too much and how much is too little for the body? “It’s not easy to find a balance,” replies the nutritionist Jürg Hösli in an interview with blue News.
The founder of the Erpse Nutritional Diagnostics Institute considers the 5 grams of salt per day recommended by the WHO to be “extremely critical”. The expert explains: «A healthy person can consume more salt. The kidneys automatically eliminate more salt from the body.”
The amount of salt a person needs is very individual. And if someone is “addicted” to salt, this may just be a sign that the body needs more of it. «And then you should give it to your body. As long as you don’t suffer from high blood pressure.”
This is because in that case the increase in salt consumption is decidedly problematic. According to the expert, those suffering from high blood pressure or other pre-existing conditions should stick to the amount recommended by the WHO.
Jürg Hösli
erpse-institut.com
The erpse Institute, based in Winterthur in the canton of Zurich, offers nutritional diagnoses and helps people feel better. Jürg Hösli is the founder of the institute and an experienced nutritionist.
The danger hides in ready meals
“Basically, you should ask yourself the question: Who am I really?”, says Hösli. And he continues: «It is important to make a distinction. Cancer patients or people suffering from other pathologies should never consume tons of salt, but otherwise the issue is less problematic than one might think.” The average person can tolerate a larger amount.
It is difficult to maintain an overview of today’s food supply. Because «a lot of salt is hidden in ready-to-eat foods, i.e. in ready meals, some of which also contain flavor enhancers», says Hösli. If a large quantity of ready-made products is consumed, the situation can become critical.
The nutritionist adds: «Based on my practical experience, I would say that salt consumption in Switzerland is relatively lower than in Germany or especially in the United States. This is because we consume much less ready-made foods.” In comparison, the Swiss have a “relatively good diet.”
Parents don’t have to be too cautious
Hösli would also like to remind parents that they should not focus on a low-salt diet for their children. «In adolescents or children who regularly practice sports, too little salt can even lead to an insufficient intake, which in turn could trigger neurological problems», warns the nutritionist to overly cautious mothers and fathers.
Too little salt can also cause problems for athletes. Cramps or gastrointestinal disorders are possible consequences, as Hösli points out.
«Salt retains liquids in our body. If you don’t consume enough minerals, you can suffer from a loss of electrolytes, which can lead to dehydration.” Minerals such as salt, sodium and potassium are therefore important for retaining fluid in the body.
Hösli concludes: «If you like salt and are in good health, you can enjoy it without guilt. However, people who are overweight or have pre-existing conditions should be very careful.”
