Your body needs less than half a teaspoon of table salt daily; however, most Americans consume up to four times that amount, increasing the risk of high blood pressure, heart disease, and stroke.

Most Americans consume more than twice the recommended daily amount of sugar, increasing the risk of obesity, diabetes, and even depression.

“Reducing Sugar and Salt,” a special health report from Harvard Medical School, exposes dozens of foods with “hidden” sodium and sugar. For example, a tuna salad sub sandwich can have up to 1,300 milligrams of sodium, nearly the daily limit, while a bowl of raisin bran delivers 19 grams of added sugar, the equivalent of five teaspoons.

You probably know and avoid the usual culprits: sodium-laden bacon, hot dogs, and chips, and sugary sodas, cakes, and cereals. But “Reducing Sugar and Salt” will expose dozens of “hidden” sources, from breads and take-out sandwiches to breakfast cereals and flavored yogurt.

The booklet will give you the facts about how a high-sodium diet can lower bone density, why “lactose-free” does not mean ”sugar-free,” and whether you’re wasting your money on sports drinks when H2O will do. It also brings you up to date on sugar substitutes, and why you might want to cut back on diet soda.

Google Harvard Medical School Reports for Information re ordering “Reducing Sugar and Salt.”