Can you imagine downing foods without any seasoning in them? Salt is so essential to keep our taste buds salivating for more delectable stuff but overdoing it is extremely harmful and can result in dangerous outcomes. Here are important reasons why you should eat less salt.
1. It can lead to increased blood pressure
The next time you fight hard to keep your anger at bay, you should remember the extra salt you’ve been having. Salt has the power to increase your blood pressure and the latter is adequately potent to contribute to strokes and heart disorders. A third of the adult population has blood pressure and there is no connection between age and blood pressure levels. Reducing salt intake and regular exercises make sure your blood pressure levels are under control.
2. It may lead to stomach cancer
The risk of cancer is imminent in individuals that include high levels of salt in their diet. Helicobacter pylori is the bacterium contributing to stomach related disorders like cancer and ulcer. Salt damages your stomach’s lining, making it vulnerable to the bacterium. Men face high risks of stomach cancer than women.
3. It may add to your chances of obesity
In a day and age where obesity is a very common epidemic, here is yet another reason that contributes to the problem. Salt by itself does not cause increase in weight but can leave you thirsty for long periods of time. And if your intake of fluids is largely sugary (which is likely to be), then you present yourself the looming problem of obesity.
4. It can lead to kidney disorders
Kidney stones can be a very painful problem that is becoming increasingly common these days. Salt is the culprit. And it can prove hazardous when combined with blood pressure. Both factors cause excess calcium to be secreted by kidneys in urine. A build-up of calcium causes kidney stones. Further, blood pressure can add strain to kidneys causing kidney disease.
5. It leads to bloating
Bloating is often due to water retention in the body. A high salt intake diet can leave your body to retain at least 50 ounces of water. And women that experience bloating can observe distinct and immediate results when they bring down their salt intake.
6. It can cause loss of bone density
Women are highly susceptible to bone density loss and weakened bone structure, thanks to their raging hormones. Risk of osteoporosis is extremely high in women when compared to men. A high salt diet leads to calcium loss. High salt is directly proportional to high sodium and high sodium means weak bones. And when a lot of calcium is excreted, the intestines will absorb more calcium and this is taken from your bones. Now, that is yet another reason for weakened bones.
7. It can aggravate asthma
Nearly 1 in 11 children and 1 in 12 adults suffer from asthma. While salt is not directly responsible for causing asthma in children, it has the potential to increase symptoms dramatically. When you reduce salt intake in asthmatic patients, you will begin to observe visible changes.
Adults should eat not more than 6g of salt a day and children much less. Babies less than a year old require no more than 1g of salt a day and this level is obtained from both breast and formula milk itself. Adding salt to baby foods is better not done. Maintaining optimum levels of salt intake reduces risks associated with several health disorders. Remember, salt is just to taste. Eat wisely; live peacefully.
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