Salt myth - How much salt should you eat?

Salt content in food is a natural fact. People prefer salt in their foods in order to have taste but medical research studies have suggested that excessive intake of salt leads the individuals to suffer from high blood pressure which is harmful for their wellbeing. Over the past century, the medical research has become quite advanced. According to various researches, high consumption of salt in food can make the health conditions of the individuals deteriorate to a wide extent. Not only high blood pressure, but consuming high levels of salt or sodium can cause heart complications for the individuals. However, the doctors have prescribed that the salt in diet can have some health advantages which can positively impact upon the health conditions of the people.

 

Dt. Lokendra Tomar

Diploma in Diet and Nutrition, B.Pharma

Dietitian/Nutritionist • 1887 People helped • 15 Years experience

Pros of containing salt in diet:

1. Salt helps to control the blood sugar levels thereby improving insulin sensitivity
2. Salt can act as a natural antihistamine, i.e. improving an allergic reaction or ensuring prevention from an asthma attack
3. Salt intake helps to maintain proper stomach pH
4. Sleep quality can also be improved through the intake of salt by boasting stress and pressure from the individuals
5. It also helps the body to function properly by enabling the nerves and the muscles to work appropriately
6. Moreover, intake of salt in diet can also regulate blood pressure and volume

Apart from all these beneficial factors, the medical science has listed certain drawbacks or cons of intake of salt that can affect the health conditions of the people. Scientists have proved and showed evidences that excess of salt in the diet can cost various innocent lives.
The negative factors of excessive salt intake have been listed below:

1. Though salt level can regulate the blood pressure but intake of excessive salt leads to put up the blood pressure to a considerable extent affecting their health conditions
2. People can also suffer from hypertension and heart failures due to excessive consumption of salt in food
3. Stomach cancer, kidney stones and obesity can also be cause due to salty diet
4. Intake of excessive amount salt leads to chronic fluid retention leading to heart failures of the people
5. Salt intake can cause obesity and vascular dementia
6. Osteoporosis is also another danger that can take place in the people due to the intake of salt in their foods.

Thus from the overall discussion, it can be said that medical researchers have thoroughly generated their views regarding the fact that salt or sodium intake can leave both the positive and negative impacts on the lives of the people. Hence, it is widely recommended by the doctors that the people must reduce their salt consumption in their diet to reduce blood pressure and maintain a healthy living.