One teaspoon of salt: keeping blood pressure in check

High blood pressure is a leading cause of heart attack, stroke and kidney disease. Many people have no symptoms at all, which is why it is called a "silent killer".

How much salt is enough?

The World Health Organization advises adults to eat less than 5 g of salt a day: about one teaspoon. That is the total from cooking, pickles and snacks together.

Hidden salt in a Kerala kitchen

• Pickle, pappadam and dried fish
• Chips, mixture and bakery snacks
• Packet sauces and instant noodles
• That "little extra salt" sprinkled on rice

Simple changes

• Take the salt shaker off the dining table
• Pickle once or twice a week, not every meal
• Flavour with lime, pepper, ginger and curry leaves
• Read the "sodium" line on packet labels

Over 30? Check your BP once a year. If you take BP medicine, do not stop it without asking your doctor, even when you feel well.