A British Heart Foundation dietitian said most of the salt we ate was hidden in the food we buy. oldoyChris/Getty ImagesA British Heart Foundation dietitian said most of the salt we ate was hidden in the food we buy. oldoyChris/Getty ImagesAdults in England eating as much salt a day as in 22 bags of crisps, study showsCampaigners call for action to make manufacturers reduce salt in food, which can contribute to high blood pressure and deathsAdults in England eat the same amount of salt every week as is found in 155 bags of crisps, according to analysis by a leading health charity. The British Heart Foundation, which carried out the study, said this also equated to 22 bags a day of ready salted, lightly salted or sea salt crisps.“Most of the salt we eat is hidden in the food we buy, such as bread, cereals, pre-made sauces and ready meals, so it’s hard to know how much salt we’re consuming,” said Dell Stanford, a senior BHF dietitian.“This is bad news for our heart health, as eating too much salt significantly increases the risk of high blood pressure, a major cause of heart attacks, strokes and other serious diseases.”It is estimated that eating dangerously high amounts of salt contributes to at least 5,000 deaths a year in the UK from heart attacks, strokes and other cardiovascular conditions. Too much salt is perilous to health because it can raise blood pressure, which is the single biggest cause of heart attacks and strokes.
