Salt is a natural resource found everywhere, from the ocean to our tears. It’s tasty and inexpensive to purchase. It’s been used in food preservation for ages, and idioms like “worth your weight in salt” show how valuable it was for storing food for survival.
It absorbs moisture from foods, limiting bacterial growth that would otherwise spoil food and cause gastrointestinal problems. However, like many other things, too much of it is bad for our health.
Too much salt equals high blood pressure?
But why has WHO set a five-gram limit? According to studies, exceeding this amount has unfavorable health consequences, particularly in terms of blood pressure. That’s because salt and water form a bond. The pressure in our tissues rises as a result of this bonding, increasing blood pressure and leading to the risk of stroke or heart attack.
However, it isn’t the only factor that affects blood pressure. The truth is that blood pressure is affected by a variety of things. Physical activity, stress, preexisting medical disorders, and the rest of your food habits are all things to consider.
Stressed kidneys
When we consume a lot of salt, our kidneys become consumed by the act of excreting the excessive salt. This can put a strain on the organ. It can cause renal insufficiency in the long run.
Too much salt affects the gut microbiome. The number of lactic acid bacteria decreases, while the number of so-called Th17 helper cells in the blood increases. This interplay, according to researchers, causes inflammation and autoimmune disorders.
Salt, in addition to increasing the risk of stomach cancer and bone loss (osteoporosis), can also contribute to obesity by stimulating hunger and encouraging us to eat even when we aren’t hungry.
REFERENCE
- Lauren C, May 2013. Why Is Too Much sodium bad for You? Available at https://https://www.livescience.com/36256-salt-bad-health.html
