Sodium From Salt

Researchers have assessed the effects of different diets on blood pressure. Recent findings indicate that a low fat diet, rich in fruit and vegetables, can significantly lower blood pressure, particularly in those with established hypertension but also in those with high normal blood pressure who may be at risk of developing hypertension (Appel et al., 1997). These findings endorse the importance of promoting the consumption of all types of fruit and vegetables (whether raw, frozen, dried, canned or juiced) every day as part of a healthy, balanced and varied diet. Fruit and vegetables are an excellent source of potassium and the principal source of major antioxidant nutrients that offer protection against the common chronic diseases of adulthood (Gillman, 1996; Gillman et al., 1995). However consumption in the UK remains lower than in other European countries (Rayner, 1998; Walker, 1995). To help encourage an increased consumption of fruit and vegetables, UK food and drink manufacturers have developed a healthy lifestyle consumer information programme promoting healthy eating and an active lifestyle (Barber, 1996). The foodfitness programme encourages participants to ‘‘join the activaters’’ promoting the complementary benefits of healthy and moderate physical activity in an innovative and fun way with the aid of two cartoon families, the Activaters and the Dolittles. The aim is to engage the public and show that a healthy lifestyle need not be dull, demanding, extreme or expensive. Previously published in: British Food Journal, Volume 102, Number 2, 2002