Sodium

Question 1

What is sodium?

Answer 1

Essential nutrient
Found in common foods
Natural or added as salt
Flavour or preservative

Question 2

Salt is a chemical compound made up of what two things?

Answer 2

Sodium and chloride

Question 3

2.5 g salt is equal to … g of sodium

Answer 3

1

Question 4

High salt intake = high … intake

Answer 4

Sodium

Question 5

Functions of sodium in the body (4)

Answer 5

Helps cells take up nutrients e.g. amino acids, glucose and water
Helps muscles contract
Helps nerves carry messages between brain and body (nerve impulses)
Balances bodies fluids and regulates blood pressure

Question 6

Sodium and blood pressure relationship

Answer 6

Diets high in sodium are related to high blood pressure - hypertension
Mechanism is not fully understood
Sodium is osmotically active - where sodium goes water will follow
Water retention plays a role
Kidney controls amount of sodium in body

Question 7

Excessive sodium can lead to what clinical conditions? (4)

Answer 7

Cardiovascular disease
Stroke
Hypertension
Kidney stones

Question 8

Recommended allowance varies throughout …

Answer 8

Lifecycle

Question 9

Maximum salt recommended per day for adults (11+ years) is … g

Answer 9

6 g

Question 10

What disease conditions require a low salt diet?

Answer 10

Heart failure
Hypertension
Chronic kidney failure
Liver condition
(Typically less than 5-6 g per day recommended)

Question 11

Table salt

Answer 11

Sodium chloride

Question 12

Dietary sodium (3)

Answer 12

Table salt - sodium chloride
Salt seasonings - garlic salt
Sodium additives in processed foods - monosodium glutamate (MSG)

Question 13

What percentage of salt we eat is from processed foods?

Answer 13

70-80%

Question 14

What percentage of salt we eat is added during cooking or at the table?

Answer 14

20%

Question 15

What percentage of salt we eat is naturally found in food?

Answer 15

10-15%

Question 16

Average daily salt consumption in UK?

Answer 16

8-9 g per day

Question 17

Common high salt foods

Answer 17

Crisps
Salted nuts
Takeaway meals (MSG)

Question 18

Why do some foods that are high in salt not taste salty?

Answer 18

Mixed with other ingredients e.g. sugars to mask the taste

Question 19

Hidden sugars is present in commonly eaten … foods

Answer 19

Processed

Question 20

Most foods display a … label to help people make healthier choices

Answer 20

Traffic light label

Question 21

Low salt

Answer 21

Less than 0.3g per 100g

Question 22

High salt

Answer 22

More than 1.5g per 100g

Question 23

Barriers to low salt diet

Answer 23

Taste - may be bland
Cultural/habits - difficult to change habits of modify recipes
Social - eating out or not socially acceptable
Convenience - cheap, easy and fast

Question 24

Tips to reduce salt intake

Answer 24

Use extra herbs and spices
Leave salt shaker off table
Switch to healthy snacks e.g. fruits
Ask in restaurants for no added salt
Cook fresh food and avoid processed meals
Check food labels for low salt options
Use little to no salt in cooking

Question 25

DASH diet

Answer 25

Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension

Question 26

DASH diet has shown to be effective in…

Answer 26

Lowering blood pressure and low lipid levels Reduces risk of CVD

Question 27

DASH diet is …

Answer 27

Plant-based and priorities fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, seeds and legumes Moderate amounts of low fat dairy and limits red and processed meats encouraging lean meats