Soy sauce may help you reduce salt despite its high sodium levels

Soy Sauce certainly adds flavour to stir fries  but I don't use it too often due to the high sodium content. Monica Reinagel ,Nutritionist on the Nutrition Data Blog states: " Soy sauce may help you reduce salt despite its high sodium levels".

The average American consumes about 6 to 18 grams (or 1 to 3 tablespoons) of ordinary table salt (or sodium chloride) each day. Persons with diabetes are encouraged to limit the sodium in their diets to help prevent or to control high blood pressure.

The American Diabetes Association recommends a daily sodium intake of 2,400 milligrams (2.4 grams) or less if you have diabetes and mild to moderate high blood pressure

If you're watching your sodium intake, you probably steer well clear of soy sauce . A single tablespoon contains 1,000mg of sodium. But it looks as if the sodium in soy sauce may go a lot further when it comes to seasoning your food.

Researchers found that when they used soy sauce instead of salt in various dishes, they could reduce the total sodium content by up to 50% without tasters even noticing. The researchers theorize that the more complex flavor and odor profile of soy sauce creates the sensation of saltiness and savour with less sodium.

Interesting, huh? Try it yourself and see what you find. I suggest that you measure any soy sauce you add to food or recipes, at least at first, so you can compare the amount of sodium to what you'd ordinarily add from salt. As a bonus, soy is fermented to make soy sauce and this is thought to be the healthiest way to consume soy. The fermentation decreases phytates and oxalates that may impair the absorption of nutrients.

Organic Soy Sauce is available in Regular , Less Sodium and Gluten Free varieties.