Can’t avoid salt in your meal? Blame your genes

Even though you may risk hypertension and heart disease but can't do without that extra pinch of salt in your meal, blame it on your genes for a gene related to taste pathways could be conspiring agai

By: Editorial Team | | Published: June 2, 2014 7:14 pm

Even though you may risk hypertension and heart disease but can’t do without that extra pinch of salt in your meal, blame it on your genes for a gene related to taste pathways could be conspiring against you, researchers have found.

Besides the gene that influences salt preference, the researchers, in a separate study, uncovered 17 independent genes related to liking for certain foods, including artichokes, bacon, coffee, chicory, dark chocolate, blue cheese, ice cream, liver, oil or butter on bread, orange juice, plain yoghurt, white wine and mushrooms.

Here are some tips to reduce your sodium intake:

1. Avoid processed foods that often contain high concentrations of sodium; typical examples are foods whose labels list sodium chloride, sodium bicarbonate (baking soda) or monosodium glutamate (MSG).

2. Avoid restaurant-prepared food such as pizza, pasta and noodles that are decorated with a variety of sauces.

3. Avoid salads with dressings and fast foods that make use of masala rich in salt.

4. Do not eat too much bread, chips, cereals, instant-cooking oats, crackers, salted nuts, cheese-based foods, soups, ketchups, sauces and canned foods.

5. Avoid consuming sweet baked foods frequently. They contain salt although they may not exhibit a salty taste; this is because baking powder or baking soda that is used in the manufacturing process is a salt of sodium.

6. Traditional Indian foods such as pickles and papads use salt for its taste as well as preservative action. Cut down on your consumption of such items and your dietary salt intake is bound to reduce.

7. Many of us also use salt while preparing the dough for chapatti, roti or naan; either avoid adding salt altogether or reduce the amount you add.

8. Our Indian chutneys, vegetable dishes and other accompaniments also contain a significant amount of salt; try to substitute some of the salt with fresh lemon juice that gives an appetizing tangy flavour.

With inputs from IANS

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Published : June 2, 2014 7:14 pm

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