1 pinch of salt is becoming the cause of death, the risk of these diseases increases with age decreasing
Health effects of salt: Salt, a compulsory part of our food, enhances the taste as well as for proper functioning of the body. Sodium, which is a major component of salt, plays an important role in maintaining nerve functions, muscle contractions and the balance of fluids in the body. However, the saying of ‘excessive everything is bad’ is also fully applied to salt. Excessive salt intake can gradually hollow out our health and can cause many serious diseases, which kill millions of people every year.
Excessive salt intake and dangers associated with it
When we consume more salt than our daily requirement, sodium levels in the body increase. This causes water to accumulate in the body, which increases pressure on blood vessels. This condition gives rise to many health problems:
1. High blood pressure (high blood pressure): This is the most straightforward and major result of excessive salt intake. Increased blood pressure damages the arteries and puts extra pressure on the heart.
2. Heart disease (Heart disease): Due to high blood pressure, the heart has to work hard to pump blood, causing the heart muscles to become thick and weakened over time. It increases the risk of severe heart diseases such as heart attack, heart failure and stroke.
3. Stroke (Stroke): Hypertension can weaken the brain blood vessels or block them, which increases the risk of stroke.
4. Kidney Stone and Kidney Disease: Excessive salt intake puts extra weight on the kidneys, as they have to work more to filter excess sodium from the body. This can promote the formation of kidney stone and can damage the kidney in a long time.
5. Osteoporosis (Osteoporosis): Some studies suggest that excess salt intake can increase calcium emissions from the body, which may reduce bones density and increase the risk of osteoporosis.
Salt and cardiovascular disease
A new study has emerged in relation to salt and cardiovascular disease, which has further strengthened the importance of reducing the amount of salt. This study has shown that reducing 1 gram of salt daily can reduce the risk of heart disease by 4% and the risk of stroke can be reduced by 6%. This is a small change, but its results can save the lives of millions of people globally.
How much salt is safe,
According to experts, people aged 14 years or older should consume 2300 mg (Mg) salt per day. It is equal to about one teaspoon of salt. More amounts of this can cause diseases. The World Health Organization (WHO) also recommends consumption of less than 5 grams (2000 mg sodium) per day for adults.
Salt is an integral part of our life, but its excessive intake can prove to be ‘sweet poison’. The advice of the Ministry of Health and experts should be taken seriously and control the amount of salt in your diet. By consuming a pinch of low salt, we can not only increase the age of our life, but can also reduce the risk of deadly diseases like kidney stone, high blood pressure and heart disease to a great extent. Focus on the intake of your salt today for a healthy life!
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