The New Human Condition

Having a family history of high blood pressure, I try to avoid putting excess salt on my foods. (Plus, have you ever had a kidney stone!?) Most processed foods today already contain an enormous amount of salt…making the need to add more almost nonexistent.

A new study by the University of California indicates that a 3-gram-a-day reduction in salt intake would greatly benefit many Americans (we typically consume 9-12 grams of salt per day). This reduction would reduce cases of heart disease by 6%, heart attacks by 8%, and death by 3%!

Salt levels and blood pressure in average Americans has risen about 50% from the 1970′s. We need to reverse this trend by not adding any salt to our foods, and by watching how many milligrams of salt we are taking in every day through processed foods.

Joe Food and Nutrition, Health Salt

Soda, or “pop” as it’s known in the Midwest where I grew up, is on of the worst substances we can ever put into our bodies.  I’ll go as far as to say it is one of the worst things we have ever created, as it is one of the primary drivers of the obesity epidemic in America. Here, in no particular order, are the top five reasons to stop drinking soda:

Soda is just carbonated water loaded with sugar and chemicals. It may taste good, but provides empty calories without actually quenching thirst. There is a lot of refined sugar in foods we eat every day, we don’t need to add this much more.

Soda consumption has been linked to various health conditions ranging from obesity to kidney disease. It having your favorite beverage really worth this risk?

Soda is packaged in bottles and cans, most of which are not recycled. In terms of recycling in the U.S., we have made some great strides in terms of paper products, but are lacking in plastic and glass recycling. Soda production and consumption has an enormous environmental impact.

It’s terrible for your teeth, as well as your digestive system. The chemicals and acids in most sodas eat away at teeth enamel and force the digestive system to rev up to process these materials. Soda is not naturally digested by the body…it takes a lot of energy.

The cost of frequently buying soda can really add up. In almost every region of the U.S. we have clean, potable water free from the tap. Stop buying soda, pocket the money you would have spent, and start drinking the tap water out of your faucet. It’s what your body naturally needs, and is much safer than you may realize. Quality standards for tap water are actually much tougher than for bottled water.  

If you are a soda drinker, I know it’s hard to stop. Studies show that soda can be just as addicting as cigarettes (and just as bad for your health). Try substituting water by itself, or with some type of flavor mixed in (fruit juice, natural sweeteners, or make it into tea). You will save money, and your body will feel different within a few days.

Joe Food and Nutrition Soda

Here is a bit of poetry for a rainy Tuesday morning (blame Hurricane Ida). This is one of my favorites from Linford Detweiler of Over the Rhine. 

Here’s an idea

Let’s grab this life and wring its neck with joy

So that when it comes time to die

When we find we have no breath left

It is because we willingly strangled ourselves

With love

Fell down dead

And mostly happy

Joe Poetry Life, Over the Rhine

A study published in the September issue of Stroke magazine cited results of a new study that suggests consuming more calcium may prevent blood vessel blockages to the brain. It was based on a survey of 41,526 people of Japanese descent aged 40 to 59.

Calcium intake (particularly from dairy products) directly correlated with lower blood pressure in survey participants, and lower risk for a stroke as a result. Calcium from diary may be more effective than calcium from non-dairy sources due to a protein called casein which enhances calcium absorption.

How much dairy should you add to your diet? The daily recommended intake is 1,000 mg/day…so drink a glass or two of water, and eat some cheese and yogurt with lunch or dinner.

Joe Food and Nutrition Calcium, Dairy, Stroke