Salt content in cheese 'too high', say campaigners

Conclusion This study highlights the wide variation in salt content that can be found in cheese. Labelling is now making it easier to make an informed choice regarding where you wish your maximum recommended level of 6g of salt per day to come from. This is particularly important when assessing which cheese is the best option for children, who should consume lower levels of salt. The study showed that there were many types of cheese that have a reasonably low salt content, including cottage cheese, cream cheese, mozzarella and Emmental. However, cheese is generally calorific, and overconsumption can lead to overweight and obesity and their associated health problems.  A limitation of this study is that the actual salt content was not independently assessed, but relied on the accuracy of the labels. The authors also acknowledge that they did not investigate how the reduction in salt has been achieved, and there is the possibility that it has been replaced by other additives or ingredients. Analysis by NHS Choices. Follow Behind the Headlines on Twitter. Join the Healthy Evidence forum. Links To The Headlines Concern over salt levels in cheese. Mail Online, August 6 2014 Halloumi and blue cheese saltier than seawater. The Daily Telegraph, August 7 2014 Branded blue cheese and halloumi are 'saltier than seawater'. The Independent, August 6 2014 Cheese too salty and a risk to public health, study finds. The Guardian, August 6 2014 Links To Science Hashem KH, He F...
Source: NHS News Feed - Category: Consumer Health News Tags: Heart/lungs Food/diet Source Type: news