Canadian scientists are urging their fellow citizens to cut salt intake by half, which they say could help considerably decrease the cases of high blood pressure and put hypertension under better control.

The measure could eliminate high blood pressure in one million Canadians, double the number of Canadians with adequately controlled hypertension, and save the health-care system 430 million Canadian dollars (387 million U.S. dollars) a year, the Heart and Stroke Foundation and the Canadian Stroke Network said in a study published in the May issue of Canadian Journal of Cardiology.

Canadians consume on average nearly 3,100 mg of salt a day, about 35 percent higher than "tolerable upper intake level" and is more than twice what is considered necessary for health purposes, according to recent released Statistics Canada data.

It is estimated that in Canada one in four adults has high blood pressure. Nine of 10 Canadians who live to age 80 will develop the condition. High blood pressure is considered a major risk factor for stroke and heart attack.

The Heart and Stroke Foundations says that roughly 80 percent of the sodium that Canadians consume comes from processed foods or food prepared in restaurants. The salt people add to their food at the table makes up between 10 to 20 percent of sodium intake.

The group suggests five ways to reduce salt intake, including cooking by one's own, making one's own dressings, eating more fruit and using more sweet and sour sauces.

Source: Xinhua