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Eating too much salt can trigger the following six diseases - Salt has become a difficult part of life. Thus, the condition of excess salt levels in the body is not something that rarely happens.
In fact, some diseases can arise if we eat too much salt. Even so, that does not mean we should not consume salt at all.
Maintaining levels is the most important thing because salt also has several benefits for our body. Salt or sodium, in sufficient quantities, are needed to maintain fluid balance in the body and play a role in maintaining nerve and muscle function.
Eating lots of salt can cause high blood pressure. But apparently, other diseases can arise due to excessive salt consumption.
1. Heart disease
Salt can increase blood pressure and cause high blood pressure. This condition is the most common cause of heart disease. Nearly two-thirds of all stroke cases and half of the heart disease cases are caused by hypertension.
2. Chronic kidney disease
Just like heart disease, chronic kidney disease can also be caused by high blood pressure. People who suffer from this disease, are more sensitive to the intake of sodium or salt in the body.
Chronic kidney disease and hypertension are associated with a continuous cycle. Because the kidneys play a role in salt metabolism in the body. If the kidneys are not able to secrete sodium properly, then the metabolism of salt in the body becomes disrupted and salt will accumulate in the body, and cause a rise in blood pressure.
3. Osteoporosis
The amount of calcium released through the urine will increase with increasing salt levels in the body. When the calcium level in the blood is less than it should be, the body will take calcium from the bone to balance the calcium deficiency.
This causes bone health to be disrupted to experience bone loss or osteoporosis.
4. Cancer
Consuming excess salt can also increase a person's risk of stomach cancer.
5. Hypernatremia
Too much sodium in the blood can cause a condition called hypernatremia. This disease is an acute disorder that occurs when a person does not get enough food or drink so that salt cannot be digested properly by the body.
As a result, salt accumulation ensued. When sodium in the blood builds up, metabolic disorders will occur in the body which can lead to a buildup of fluid in the body's organs, including the brain. This can cause seizures, coma, and even lead to death.
6. Nerve disorders
Salt is indeed important for maintaining nerve function. However, if excessive, salt consumption will actually turn around to damage it. In our bodies, we need a balance between sodium (salt) and potassium to maintain normal nerve function.
If the sodium level is too high, then the balance will be disrupted. As well as nerve function, which will also cause disruption.
Recommended daily salt content
We often do not realize that we have consumed far more salt than the recommended amount. Because, not a few foods that actually have high sodium levels, but do not taste salty, make us feel safe from excess salt.
We need to pay more attention to the recommendation of daily salt levels to avoid the health consequences that may arise.
We often do not realize that we have consumed far more salt than the recommended amount. Because, not a few foods that actually have high sodium levels, but do not taste salty, make us feel safe from excess salt.
We need to pay more attention to the recommendation of daily salt levels to avoid the health consequences that may arise.
- The maximum limit for salt consumption for adults is 6 grams per day or about 1 teaspoon.
For children, the maximum limit for salt consumption depends on their age.
- Children aged 1-3 years: 2 grams per day Children aged 4-6 years: 3 grams per day
- Children aged 7-10 years: 5 grams per day
- Children 11 years and over: 6 grams per day
- Babies should not consume a lot of salt because their kidneys are not yet fully formed to process the material.
How to limit salt levels in the body
If you are accustomed to consuming foods with excessive salt levels, it helps us start to limit salt consumption. Here are the tips.
Reduce salt, and add food flavor using spices and other seasonings such as garlic and chili. Also, add lemon juice to make the meat softer and accentuate the taste of the food.
Reduce salt when cooking slowly, within a few weeks, to build habits. Avoid eating fast food or canned food.
Only use fresh vegetables and fruit for food and cooking. Choose foods that label low-salt or do not contain salt.
It's not easy to change habits to be healthier all of a sudden. However, this choice needs to be made for a future that is free from dangerous diseases. Prevention is certainly better than cure, right?
