Can the Impact of the Excessive Use of Salt and its Chronic Consequences be Atenuated by Functional Foods?

Abstract

Significant evidence has been showing the strong impact that food has on health. Among the substances that have a great influence on food choices and preferences is sodium (salt), 1 which has been associated with obesity and chronic diseases, such as diabetes mellitus, high blood pressure and cardiovascular diseases. 2,3 According to National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine (2019), 4 a sodium intake below 2.3 g/day is recommended for adults to reduce the risk of chronic diseases, such as high blood pressure. Despite great educational efforts on the part of government and medical authorities, populations still maintain a higher than recommended sodium intake, 5 which has led to the development of public health strategies to reduce this problem.