There was a patient named Uncle Wang who was found to have hyperlipidemia during a routine physical examination. To escape a potential health crisis, he started a light diet as instructed. Salt, MSG, chili, these spices were almost driven out of the kitchen by him. But not long after, Uncle Wang found that his limbs were weak and he always felt that he had no energy.
After visiting the hospital, the results of the examination were unexpected: Uncle Wang's blood sodium value was significantly lower than the normal range, and he was diagnosed with hyponatremia. This puzzled him: Is a light diet really bad for health?
1. Does eating salt really help you live longer?
Salt, the most common seasoning in the kitchen, has a lot to do with our health. It brings taste to food and also provides our body with the necessary sodium. However, eating less or more for a long time is a potential threat to health.
But studies in 181 countries have shown that excessive daily salt intake seems to be associated with longevity. Does it mean that eating more salt is really good for health?
2. Eating more salt, is it really not harmful to the body?
Studies have shown that long-term intake of large amounts of salt may cause health problems that cannot be ignored, such as high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease and even stomach cancer.
- High blood pressure: Excessive salt intake can cause blood pressure to rise, increasing the burden on the heart.
- Cardiovascular disease: A high-salt diet may trigger cardiovascular problems over time.
- Stomach cancer: Studies have shown that long-term high-salt diets are associated with gastric cancer.
3. How to choose salt intake in the elderly?
According to the Healthy China Action Plan (2019-2030), the upper daily salt intake for adults is 5g. But in fact, it is difficult to precisely control this intake in our diet.
For older people, salt intake should vary from person to person. For example, older people who sweat a lot and need to be replenished for the sodium they lose due to exercise may consume slightly more salt. Conversely, if the elderly have kidney or cardiovascular problems, it is recommended to try to control salt intake.
Salt plays a vital role in our health. However, long-term intake of too much or too little can cause harm to the body. For the sake of our physical and mental health, salt intake should be reasonable and purposeful, rather than blindly pursuing a certain health view.
What about you? How much salt did you eat today? Do you have any unique views or experiences on salt intake? Welcome to share in the comment area below, I will reply in time and discuss with you.