Nigerians have been urged to reduce their salt intake so as to ensure the prevalence of Non-Communicable diseases such as High Blood Pressure is minimised to the barest minimum.
Medical Practitioner, Dr Rasheed Abass, gave the advice while speaking on TVC News’s Breakfast Show, with Sam Omatseye and Veronica Dan-Ikpoyi, on Friday Morning.
Dr Abass said the though salt intake has its health benefits but in moderation adding that regular high intake of Salt has a direct relationship with High Blood Pressure, Stroke and even Diabetes.
He disclosed that the amount of salt intake by most Africans is 5 times more than the healthy limit allowed daily.
He said a recent research has shown that most food especially processed ones come loaded with Sodium adding that the addition of more salt in food now is very dangerous to the health of the average individual.
According to him the research also shows that African-Americans are at a higher risk of High Blood Pressure, Stroke and Diabetes.
Salt according to him is a preservative in foods and too much of it will make the work of the heart much more difficult.
He listed some symptoms that people should look out for as signs of high salt intake which also translates into high blood Pressure, Stroke and Diabetes.
He advised those with puffy ankles, constantly waking up with Headaches and with discomfort especially while sleeping.
He said the higher the salt intake especially in men, the lower the quality of sperm produced calling on all Nigerian Men to do their utmost to reduce salt intake as this also has an effect on their ability to conceive in their marriages.
He disclosed that the American Society of Cardiology has recommended that People should go natural in the use of spices and preservatives.
He listed some of the natural ways of preserving food as ginger, cloves and garlic.
