Eytons' Earth: Natural & Alternative Medicine

[DexterRidlon]

Thirst, which causes intake of water or other beverages, is an unavoidable physiological response to eating foods with a high salt content. A study carried out by Dr. Heikki Karppanen of the University of Helsinki and Dr. Eero Mervaala of the University of Kuopio reports that the increases in salt intake observed in the United States (USA) are strongly associated with increases in obesity there. Consequently the authors conclude that a reduction in salt intake could be a powerful means against obesity.

The authors note that until 1983 the use of salt showed a continuous decreasing trend in the United States . The prevalence of obesity was relatively low at this time and had remained essentially unchanged from early 1960s to early 1980s. Sales of salt in the USA were reported to have increased more than 50% between the mid-1980s to the late 1990s. The authors state that the progressive increase in the average intake of salt explains the parallel increase in the intake of beverages which, in turn, has contributed to a marked increase in the intake of calories during the same period in the USA .