Some health statistics really surprise us…
What do you think has more salt content, a block of cheddar or a packet of salty crisps?
Your instinct probably said the crisps, but the cynic in you wondered why we even bothered to ask the question so.
The truth is alarming levels of salt in cheese are contributing to an epidemic of high blood pressure across the country which is responsible for strokes, heart attacks and thousands of early deaths a year.
Experts have warned us that cheese can contain as much salt as junk food products.
It is the modern day rule we are trying to get used to: don’t be fooled by the name or aura of the product, be sure to read the packet and see what fat, salt, sodium and calorie content the food contains.
The British campaigning group Consensus Action on Salt and Health (CASH).
The campaigning group found a single portion of cheddar has a greater amount than a bag of crisps, while feta, halloumi and other types of cheese contain higher levels of salt than seawater. Yes, seawater.
Cheese, which also usually carries high levels of saturated fat, is the third-biggest contributor of salt to the diet, after bread and bacon.
And too much salt is a major factor in high blood pressure.
Bu there is a healthier option. CASH did find that it is possible for shoppers to switch to relatively low-salt or even salt-free cheese for a healthier option.
Director Katherine Jenner said: “It’s worth looking at the label and choosing a lower-salt version of your favourite cheese, or just use a little less next time you get the grater out.
“Even small reductions will have large health benefits.
“For every 1g reduction in population salt intake we can prevent 12,000 heart attacks, stroke and heart failure, half of which would have been fatal.”
Here are some other foods that you believed were healthy… but aren’t.
