For decades now, major healthcare institutions such as the American Heart Association have warned against consuming too much salt – easier said than done in a society that offers French fries, potato chips, and a variety of salty snacks at almost every restaurant, supermarket, and convenience store. As many as 9 in 10 Americans take in too much sodium, according to the AHA, despite efforts to reduce sodium intake.
For those who want to dodge the health risks that come with too much sodium, seeking out products that include less of it can help to keep your intake down. Low-sodium protein and meal replacement shakes can provide your body with a range of beneficial nutrients without plying you with mountains of salt. To learn more about the advantages of a low-sodium meal replacement shake from ENU, visit us online or call (855) 266-6733 today.

Recommended Limits on Sodium Intake

It’s no secret that too much salt in your diet can hurt your overall health, but can it help you as well? Sodium, in the form of salt, is a useful spice used in a huge number of dishes, and it functions as a natural preservative as well. Our bodies need some amount of it because sodium conducts nerve impulses, helps move muscles, and balances the levels of water and minerals in the body; estimates place our sodium requirements at around 500 milligrams per day.
Though it is popular to the point of ubiquity, salt still does not have the benefit of one widely recognized limit on its intake. One guideline recommended by the American Heart Association calls for people of all ages to limit their sodium consumption to no more than 1,500 mg per day. Another guideline, the Chronic Disease Risk Reduction Intake, places the limit at around 2,300 mg daily; unfortunately, the average American diet far exceeds both of those amounts on a daily basis, with most consuming somewhere in the neighborhood of 3,400 mg every day.

Dangers of Too Much Sodium

In high concentrations, salt can have deleterious effects on the bones, kidneys, and cardiovascular system; some evidence even suggests that high levels of salt intake could be linked to an increased risk of stomach cancer. As sodium builds up in the system, the kidneys struggle to remove the excess from the body’s blood supply. To compensate, the body retains extra water to dilute the sodium, which in turn increases the volume of blood flowing through your body. More blood means more pressure on the vessels that contain it; in other words, excess sodium can lead to high blood pressure. Over time, the increased pressure can cause the body’s blood vessels to stiffen, further increasing blood pressure as well as the person’s risk of heart attack, stroke, and – in extreme cases – heart failure.
There is also some evidence that increased salt intake can lead to – or at least, contribute to – the weakening of the bones, a condition called osteoporosis. The amount of salt in your system directly affects the amount of calcium your body passes through urination; as salt intake increases, so too does your rate of calcium loss. In time, you may find yourself with a shortage of calcium in your blood. One way your body addresses this problem is to pull some calcium from your bones to compensate, though this has the effect of weakening the integrity of the bones – an especially dangerous occurrence in older individuals who are already at risk for osteoporosis.
Aside from the health concerns, eating too much salt can also affect your appearance. As mentioned above, excess sodium causes your body to retain water. The effect of this extra water is puffiness, weight gain, and bloating.

Benefits of a Low-Sodium Meal Replacement Shake

Finding ways to get the nutrients your body needs without loading up on sodium can be tricky. Most foods have some amount of salt, and many products contain much more than you might expect. Pizza, for instance, contains a large amount of sodium, as do burritos, cheeses, and common condiments such as ketchup – none of which are typically considered salty. Bread and rolls can be another major source; even though they may not be high in sodium themselves, their salt content can add up when included in several meals.
A low-sodium nutritional shake, on the other hand, is clearly labeled with the amount of sodium contained therein; in the case of ENU meal replacement shakes, that amount is a meager 115 mg, far less than in most tasty, convenient food products. Each shake also offers 20 grams of protein from whey and soy, complex carbs derived from whole grains, heart-healthy fats in the form of coconut and sunflower oils, and a mix of two dozen vitamins and minerals.

Low-Sodium Protein Shakes Available from ENU

When you need fast, balanced nutrition, don’t turn to a salty snack or preserved food high in sodium; try a low-sodium meal replacement shake instead. ENU nutritional shakes give you 340 well-rounded calories with minimal sodium and sugars, so you can nourish your body and fuel your lifestyle without compromising your overall health. To learn more about ENU products and how they can help you meet your health and wellness goals, visit us online or call (855) 266-6733 today.