Salt has been one of the primary additions to any dish that could boost the flavor. The table salt which is basically compose of sodium has been essential to our kitchens. Although sodium serve its purpose in our body as it maintains nerve transmission and muscle contractions.
However, too much of good could be bad for our body because we don’t just get salt from the table but also from the fast foods we usually grab when we are in hurry. According to study, the brain responds to sodium similar to how it does to heron, cocaine and nicotine.
The thing is, the amount of salt we intake has a direct effect on our body especially to the following:
- Brain
A 2011 Canadian study said that sodium intake alone may affect cognitive function in sedentary older adults above and beyond. According to Dr. David L. Katz, a researcher involved in the study, physical exercise could protect the brain from the effects of too much salt.
- Kidney
According to the article published by http://www.medicaldaily.com/, “Sodium plays a key role in balancing the levels of fluid in our bodies by signaling to the kidneys when to retain water and when to get rid of water. A high-sodium diet can interfere with this delicate process and reduce kidney function. The result is less water removed from the body, which may lead to higher blood pressure.”
The World Action on Salt also explained that the excess train on the kidneys can lead to kidney disease and it could worsen kidney problems. Renal stones could also be of greater possibility in the existence of high-sodium in one’s diet.
- Heart
Salt causes fluid retention effect. The extra water stored in our body raises the blood pressure. Basically, the more salt we eat the higher blood pressure we get.
According to American Hearts Association, reducing our salt intake can help prevent our blood pressure from increasing too much although increasing blood pressure comes naturally with age.
- Bones
Too much salt or high-sodium intake increases the calcium excretion in the urine which according to experts increase the risk of bone thinning. WASH noted that excessive calcium loss could later and associated with osteoporosis.
- Skin
Medical News reported that edema is caused by fluid retention and is usually characterized by swelling in hands, arms, ankles legs and/or feet. And yes, too much salt causes edema. However, it is non-life threatening.
Intake of salt could be almost inescapable, but discipline makes it a lot different. As much as possible, be responsible of what you take into your body because we are responsible also on whatever will happen to it.
Source: http://www.medicaldaily.com