Latest news with #SusanCheng
Time of India
a day ago
- Health
- Time of India
Sea salt, pink salt, Celtic salt: Experts say these ‘fancy' salts may secretly harm your heart health
Seasoning is perhaps the most fun part of cooking and dining. A dash of salt can take a dull dish and turn it into a culinary masterpiece. But beneath the flavours and foodie fads is a little-appreciated reality: not all salts are equal, and overdoing it can damage your heart. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now According to reports, two top cardiologists, Dr. Susan Cheng and Dr. Evan Levine, warn about a rising trend: using too much "fancy" salt, such as Himalayan pink salt and coarse sea salt. Their issue? So-called gourmet versions may be more detrimental to your health than you realise. How salt helps and hurts your heart and health Salt consists of sodium chloride, and sodium is a necessary mineral in your body. It serves a number of important functions: Controlling fluid balance Facilitating nerve impulses Permitting muscle contractions But excessive sodium is not good. Excessive sodium consumption is directly associated with elevated blood pressure (hypertension), which raises the risk of: Heart disease Stroke Kidney damage Cognitive impairment in elderly individuals Most adults should limit intake of sodium to 1,500 mg a day, according to the American Heart Association, although the absolute limit is 2,300 mg — roughly one teaspoon of table salt. Reality check: The typical American eats approximately 3,400 mg of sodium a day, which is well over the safety limit. Why fancy salts like pink and sea salt may not be healthier; here's what experts warn Popular salts such as coarse sea salt, Himalayan pink salt, and Celtic salt are usually touted as being better options. These offer the following: Natural origin Trace mineral composition (such as magnesium or potassium) Beauty in appearance and crunchy texture But cardiologists have a very different reality to share. Dr. Susan Cheng's warns: Cedars-Sinai Medical Center's Dr. Cheng cautions that the coarser texture and larger crystals of these salts make it simple to unknowingly overuse them. "That satisfying crunch makes you feel like you're using a little bit, but really you're adding a lot of extra sodium," Dr. Cheng says. Table salt, however, contains uniform, finer grains, so it delivers flavor more effectively and needs a smaller amount for the same salty flavor. Dr. Evan Levine: "Don't Fall for the Salt Hype" Dr. Evan Levine, a prominent cardiologist and health mythbuster on TikTok, calls out the misinformation around Celtic salt and Himalayan salt. Many people believe these salts are healthier because they're "less processed" or contain extra minerals. But Dr. Levine clarifies: 'It's sodium chloride — just like your regular salt. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The so-called mineral benefits are negligible. You're still eating salt.' He condemns health influencers for their sale of these salts as detoxifying and therapeutic when they possess no demonstrated greater health value and are not iodized, a necessary nutrient in standard table salt. Why table salt is a smarter option Despite what people believe, iodized table salt may very well be the healthiest and most rational option for most individuals. Here's why: Iodine Fortification Iodine prevents thyroid illness and goiter. Most gourmet salts have no added iodine. Improved Portion Control Fine texture = more controlled use. You have maximum taste with reduced sodium. Regulated and Purified Table salt from the market is processed and tested for purity and safety. Unprocessed salts might have trace metals or impurities from the ground. Sprinkle with caution: The surprising truth about salt intake When you grab that gorgeous salt cellar full of pink crystals or rough flakes, you might not be aware of how much sodium you're adding. This is particularly hazardous for: Individuals with blood pressure problems Those with heart disease or kidney disease Those who are attempting to control weight or inflammation Salt is easy to exceed, not only from your seasoning — but also from processed and restaurant foods, which tend to be filled with unseen sodium. Useful takeaways for a healthier seasoning If you want to taste your food without harming your health, these tips from cardiologists are for you: Use iodized table salt — unless otherwise recommended. Use a measuring spoon instead of sprinkling salt haphazardly. Skip doubling up: don't add coarse salt over dishes already salted while cooking. Season with herbs and spices rather than using salt alone. Read nutrition labels for sodium in packaged foods. Salt is essential — but moderation is key, and marketing can be misleading. Cardiologists emphasise that fancy salts don't offer real health advantages over iodized table salt. In fact, they could lead to excessive sodium intake, increasing your risk of chronic disease. Also Read |
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Avoid this ‘fancy' seasoning to protect yourself from heart disease and stroke: cardiologist
It's time to spice things down. Seasoning is arguably the most exciting part of eating food, as it has the power to enhance natural flavors and add complexity to any dish. But one cardiologist is sounding the alarm on a supposedly upscale seasoning — and, fair warning, her advice might leave you feeling salty. While salt is an essential electrolyte that plays a crucial role in fluid balance and nerve and muscle function, too much of it can spike your blood pressure, thereby increasing your risk of heart disease and stroke. The American Heart Association advises limiting sodium intake to no more than 2,300 milligrams per day — roughly one teaspoon of table salt — with an ideal target of 1,500 mg for most adults, especially those with high blood pressure. However, the average American consumes around 3,400 mg of sodium daily. And not all salt is created equal, either. While coarse salt has been deemed the most sophisticated choice of sodium chloride, mostly thanks to its popularity among professional chefs — and the cute little ramekins they use to store it in — it might not be the healthiest option. Dr. Susan Cheng, a cardiologist in the Smidt Heart Institute at Cedars-Sinai in Los Angeles, told that the crunchy texture of this 'fancy' salt might make it easier to overindulge. 'The less expensive regular salt you get from the grocery store that is not so fancy or coarse gives you as much taste for much less volume of salt. You're ingesting less salt,' Cheng told the outlet. Cardiologist Dr. Evan Levine has also previously warned his nearly 225,000 TikTok followers against jumping on the trendy salt train. In a video on the biggest TikTok healthcare lies, he ranted against the Celtic sea salt craze, which has gained traction because it's less processed and contains negligible amounts of minerals. 'Guess what? It's sodium chloride like your salt,' he said. 'It has trace — little itsy bitsy — amounts of calcium, potassium … and that's it.' Experts generally agree that regular table salt is actually the healthiest choice for most people. That's because it's fortified with iodine, an essential mineral that helps prevent iodine deficiency, which can lead to thyroid problem. Many gourmet salts — such as Himalayan, Kosher or sea salt — don't contain added iodine. Table salt has smaller, uniform grains, so you're more likely to use less without sacrificing flavor. And it's regulated for purity and consistency, which means fewer contaminants or trace heavy metals that can sometimes show up in unrefined salts.
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Avoid this ‘fancy' seasoning to protect yourself from heart disease and stroke: cardiologist
It's time to spice things down. Seasoning is arguably the most exciting part of eating food, as it has the power to enhance natural flavors and add complexity to any dish. But one cardiologist is sounding the alarm on a supposedly upscale seasoning — and, fair warning, her advice might leave you feeling salty. While salt is an essential electrolyte that plays a crucial role in fluid balance and nerve and muscle function, too much of it can spike your blood pressure, thereby increasing your risk of heart disease and stroke. The American Heart Association advises limiting sodium intake to no more than 2,300 milligrams per day — roughly one teaspoon of table salt — with an ideal target of 1,500 mg for most adults, especially those with high blood pressure. However, the average American consumes around 3,400 mg of sodium daily. And not all salt is created equal, either. While coarse salt has been deemed the most sophisticated choice of sodium chloride, mostly thanks to its popularity among professional chefs — and the cute little ramekins they use to store it in — it might not be the healthiest option. Dr. Susan Cheng, a cardiologist in the Smidt Heart Institute at Cedars-Sinai in Los Angeles, told that the crunchy texture of this 'fancy' salt might make it easier to overindulge. 'The less expensive regular salt you get from the grocery store that is not so fancy or coarse gives you as much taste for much less volume of salt. You're ingesting less salt,' Cheng told the outlet. Cardiologist Dr. Evan Levine has also previously warned his nearly 225,000 TikTok followers against jumping on the trendy salt train. In a video on the biggest TikTok healthcare lies, he ranted against the Celtic sea salt craze, which has gained traction because it's less processed and contains negligible amounts of minerals. 'Guess what? It's sodium chloride like your salt,' he said. 'It has trace — little itsy bitsy — amounts of calcium, potassium … and that's it.' Experts generally agree that regular table salt is actually the healthiest choice for most people. That's because it's fortified with iodine, an essential mineral that helps prevent iodine deficiency, which can lead to thyroid problem. Many gourmet salts — such as Himalayan, Kosher or sea salt — don't contain added iodine. Table salt has smaller, uniform grains, so you're more likely to use less without sacrificing flavor. And it's regulated for purity and consistency, which means fewer contaminants or trace heavy metals that can sometimes show up in unrefined salts.
