SYDNEY, Nov. 13 (Xinhua) -- Using too much soy sauce could be damaging to health according to a new Australian study which revealed that a single tablespoon of average soy sauce contains 61 percent of daily recommended salt intake.
Released on Tuesday, the study by The George Institute for Global Health, VicHealth and the Heart Foundation, found that while many people believe sushi or stir-frys to be healthy meal options, they may not realise that adding soy sauce to these dishes is potentially having a negative impact.
"We know that stir-fry dishes are really popular because they are quick, fresh and healthy but too many of us are unaware of just how much salt is hidden in the sauces we use," Heart Foundation dietitian Sian Armstrong said.
"Too much salt can cause high blood pressure, which increases your risk of stroke, heart and kidney disease."
According to the study, using one small soy sauce plastic fish packet on a sushi roll is equivalent to 10 percent of daily recommended salt intake, and that one tablespoon of fish sauce contributes 96 percent of recommended intake.
The variation in salt levels between sauces is what caught the attention of researchers and prompted them to advise consumers to consider a change.
"A tablespoon of the saltiest soy sauce contains nearly 90 percent of your recommended daily salt intake, whereas the lowest salt soy sauce had less than half of that," Armstrong said.
The report also found that most people can't tell the difference in taste between the lower and higher salt versions.
"One of the best ways to keep your blood pressure down is by eating less salt so choose a reduced salt soy sauce when you're cooking a stir-fry and go easy on the sauce," she said.
