Salt and sugar Slow weaning appropriate

Healthy Diet: Slow Saline and Sugar Weaning

08/12/2014

The vast majority of processed foods contain unfavorably high levels of sugar, salt and fat, according to scientists from the EU project SALUX. The program aims to help Europeans feed better. Weaning of salt, sugar and fat should be slow.

Healthy nutrition is difficult for many
Although most people know that eating healthily would do them good, many find it very difficult. Unfortunately, unhealthy foods that contain a lot of fat, sugar or salt often taste too good. With the SALUX project, the European Union wants to contribute to better nourishment for European citizens. As researchers involved in the project suggest, sugar, salt and fat should be quenched in slow increments.

Dreadful flavors in almost all processed foods
In the EU comparative study SALUX, researchers have examined the situation in 12 European countries. Over three years, data was collected. They came to the conclusion that nowadays almost all processed foods contain more sugar, salt or fat than would be necessary for their health. Everywhere too many of the questionable flavors are consumed. According to press reports, the study participants of the University of Hohenheim, Prof. Dr. med. Walter Vetter and Prof. Dr. med. Lutz Graeve: „In the long run, that is harmful to your health.“

Maximum six grams of salt a day
According to World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines, one adult should consume no more than six grams of salt per day. In the EU countries, the daily salt intake varies greatly and is up to 14 grams, especially in southern Europe. In virtually all countries, the salt intake of men is above that of women. On the situation in this country, Prof. Graeve explained: „On average, an adult man in Germany consumes 8.4 grams of salt, an adult woman on average 6.1 grams.“ High salt intake is considered a risk factor for cardiovascular disease and is associated with conditions such as high blood pressure, heart attack and stroke

Sugar increases obesity and diabetes risk
The planned WHO recommendation that sugar should account for only five percent of daily calorie intake has been controversial for months. Many experts consider the regulation impractical or exaggerated. However, the WHO has considered the move very well. Around 9,000 studies that have been evaluated repeatedly point in one direction: sugar increases the danger of obesity, diabetes or tooth decay.

Salty and sweet food tastes good to people
Since appeals to the population to live healthier, have apparently failed, experts are repeatedly required taxes on unhealthy food. In various countries, such as Mexico, France or Finland, such sugar-fat taxes already exist. According to the biochemists from Hohenheim, the problem is that salty and sweet food tastes too good for most people. The taste buds also respond to a rapid and significant reduction negative and signaled to the body that the food does not taste.

Gradual reduction is recommended
Prof. Dr. Graeve explained: „Therefore, a constant habituation, a so-called sensory adaptation, to fewer flavorings is an important step in the reformulation of food. An improvement in health would be the result. That in turn would save costs.“ Therefore, a gradual reduction of salt, sugar and unhealthy fats should prevent people from having to consciously lose some of their taste. „The goal is not only to gradually get people used to less flavorings, but also to not provide the food with other new additives“, so the Hohenheim researchers. (Ad)