According to a recent survey, the diet of Taiwanese people may just be too salty. The overall intake of sodium by citizens of both genders is more than 50% higher than the recommended amount. Doctors warn about potential risk of high blood pressure and strokes.

Eating mouthfuls of hot pot is something that is quite common but many people do not know that eating too much sodium, in excess of 2400 mg a day can have negative effects on the body.

The Bureau of Health Promotion's latest survey found that men between the ages of 19 to 64-year-old have an average intake that is 1.9 times the recommended standard while for women it was 1.5 times.

Experts say food sources that have high amount of sodium included dried pork, processed snack foods, and instant noodles, can account for more than half of a day's required sodium.

What is wrong with eating too much salt? The main concern is that those with hypertension can easily have a stroke.

This teaspoon is about 6 grams of salt, and if it was one's daily sodium intake, hypertension patients restricted to this amount would not need to take one blood pressure lowering drug per day.

If this were possible nationwide, BHP statistics reveal that 4.25 million patients with hypertension around Taiwan could help save the country NT$20 billion a year for drug expenses.

To lose weight, some people even do the opposite by drinking salt water, with blogs even teaching one how to do it.

The BHP does not agree with this practice as it recommends people to avoid excessive seasonings and consume less salty fried chicken and other foods with heavy flavoring.

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