A series of articles have come out in the last year concerning the intake of salt in our diets and its impact on our general health. One study concluded that there was no marked benefit in limiting salt intake and another concluded that there were some risks in having an abnormally low salt diet.
I have also read reports on the benefits of caffeine and negligible risks posed by caffeinated coffee for seniors with Alzheimer’s disease.
Quite a turnaround from the late 60’s onwards when these were demonized food items to be avoided at all costs. Now of course these recent studies come with all sorts of conditions and caveats about not overdoing it. But back when these dietary restrictions came into place there were no stipulations made.
All of these recent findings began in the late 80s with studies looking into the benefits of wine for people with heart disease. This was based on anecdotal evidence and folk beliefs among Europeans that “wine cuts grease” and that imbibing wine helped people digest food with high fat content. The benefits were not all that great but they are somewhat present.
When we started getting warnings about salt, caffeine, and other things that we ingest, the studies back then didn’t blush or mince words. They were unapologetically negative about these things. No reservations, no qualifiers. These things were bad. Avoid at all costs. Better to err on the side of safety and all that.
But now we get revised research and we do get conditions. What’s a person to believe?
Perhaps people should follow their common sense more and listen to speculative research less. I don’t expect any time soon to see a study lauding or praising the benefits of smoking, or binge drinking, or an all lard diet. Even the most rudimentary common sense tells you that inhaling smoke isn’t good for you. Your liver will take issue with you over drinking all the time. Your bowels will exact revenge for eating so much fat all the time.
I think we all know what we need to do. Namely don’t overdo it on any food item and get off the couch more.
No one can seriously believe that chain-smoking or drinking all the time will lead to a healthy life but I don’t see the harm of occasionally indulging in some “forbidden food” or treat that was considered bad for you for so long. As long as your overall eating habits remain healthy and you live an active lifestyle I say pass the salt, please.
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