Continuing my (inadvertent) nutrition theme for our weekly images, behold this striking macro shot of salt crystals. Although these crystals look good (and probably taste even better), their sodium-chloride brethren should be consumed in moderation.
In fact, salt was prominent in the news again last week, when the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released a new report that found Americans consume too much salt. CBS News wrote:
Federal dietary guidelines issued in 2010 call for most people age two or older to consume no more than 2,300 mg of salt (sodium chloride) per day. But the guidelines set the daily salt limit at 1,500 mg for blacks, people age 51 or older, and people with high blood pressure, diabetes or chronic kidney disease. And of these folks - who make up almost 48 percent of the population over the age of two - the report says that a whopping 99 percent are eating more salt than the guidelines say to eat.
Previously: Hold the salt, says the CDC, Should governments regulate salt content in processed foods?, and Holding the salt could save lives, money
Photo by Sean Naber
