UPM-FBMK/ SEM 1, 2011-2012/ PPG / BBI 2409/ SDL 6

SDL 6
Exercise 1 Read and understand the passage on Salt. SALT

Salt has been identified as the culprit for many of our ailments. It is linked to the number one killer in Malaysia- cardiovascular disease. Alarming statistics revealed that one in four Malaysian adults suffers from high blood pressure which is a direct causal factor for cardiovascular disease. This high incidence is very much attributed to our sedentary lifestyle, work stress, intake of food high in fat and sodium. Hypertension could lead to heart failure, heart attack, stroke or even kidney failure. 5

2 To prevent more deaths by hypertension, it would be necessary to change our dietary habits and lifestyle. For a start, exercising regularly would help. Next, we could cut down our consumption of bad food. Smoking and drinking should be eliminated totally. A regular medical check-up is a recommended measure especially for early prevention. Hypertension is a silent killer, so we should not wait for symptoms before we seek treatment. 3 Salt, in fact, is an essential mineral for our body and we need 0.1gm of it to function well everyday. This does not mean that we should be generously sprinkling salt onto every dish we prepare in our kitchen to obtain the essential mineral. The truth is we could do without salt entirely unless we are strict herbivores. Sodium plays a 20 15 10

UPM-FBMK/ SEM 1, 2011-2012/ PPG / BBI 2409/ SDL 6

role, too, in the intake of calcium, an essential ingredient for strong bones. The more salt we consume, the greater is the loss of calcium. 4 Sufficient quantities of salt are found naturally in meat, fish, poultry and dairy products. Too much salt is known to be harmful and it is not allowed in processed infant food in some countries. However, the problem begins when babies grow up and become participants in adult food culture where salt has become an addictive flavouring. We sprinkle salt onto fried chips; we even sprinkle it onto pineapple and star fruit to give that added flavour. In almost every restaurant, there is always a ready bottle of table salt or kicap at hand. 5 Interestingly, taste can be deceiving when it comes to what it means by salty. A food may taste less salty than another, yet it may actually have a higher salt content. Cornflakes may taste less salty than potato chips, but when the same amount is compared, cornflakes may contain more salt. 6 Unlearning the salt habit is not impossible. The taste buds can be successfully taught to adjust to natural food within a span of three months. But more often than not, habits die hard. For these die hards, manufacturers have come up with alternatives, just as for sugar. Mineral salts that are low in sodium and enriched with beneficial minerals have hit the market. It is boon for the healthconscious and hypertension patients. On the downside, however, many of these salts leave a bitter after-taste and may retail at RM8.00 per packet. 40 35 30 25

UPM-FBMK/ SEM 1, 2011-2012/ PPG / BBI 2409/ SDL 6

A. Skim the article on Salt and state the main idea for each paragraph. 1. Paragraph 1

One in four Malaysian adults saffers from high blood pressure which is a direct casual factor for cardiovascular disease.

2.

Paragraph 2

It would be necessary to change our dietary habits and lifestyle. A regular medical check-up is recommended measure especially for early prevention.

3.

Paragraph 3

Salt is an essential mineral for our body and we need 0.1 gm of it to function well everyday. The more salt we consume, the greater is the loss of calcium.

4.

Paragraph 4

Too much salt is known to be harmful and it is not allowed in processed infant food in some countries.

UPM-FBMK/ SEM 1, 2011-2012/ PPG / BBI 2409/ SDL 6

Paragraph 5

A food may taste less salty than another, yet it may actually have a higher salt content.

6.

Paragraph 6

Minerals salts that are low in sodium and enriched with beneficial minerals have hit the market and good for health-conscious and hypertension patients.

B. Scan the article to find answers to the following questions.

1.

Why is consuming too much salt hazardous to our health?

Besause it can lead to high blood pressure.

2.

What are the effects of hypertension?

Hypertension can lead to heart failure, heart attack, stroke or even kidney failure.

UPM-FBMK/ SEM 1, 2011-2012/ PPG / BBI 2409/ SDL 6

3.

How can we prevent hypertension?

We can prevent hypertension by changing our dietary habits and lifestyle.

4.

How much salt does the human body require?

We just need 0.1 gm of salt everyday.

5.

Why do herbivores need to consume salt?

It is important for the herbivores to build strong bones.

6.

State one of the disadvantages of consuming alternative salts?

It leaves bitter after-taste

Source: Mikulecky, B.S. & Jeffries, L. (2004). More Reading Power (2 nd Ed). New York: Pearson Education