World Salt Awareness Week is a significant event held every year to make people aware of the health consequences of consuming salt in high amount. This year it will be observed from 20th of March to 26th of March with a theme named as ‘Salt — The Forgotten Killer’. Main aim of this event is to provide information on foods that contain high sodium and provide tips on maintaining a balanced diet. Healthcare professionals state that salt or sodium should be taken in proper quantity otherwise, it may lead to life-threatening medical issues.
Health Risks Related to High Intake of Salt
Some of the major health risks linked to excessive salt consumption are elaborated below.
Hypertension — Salty food is one of the major risk factors leading to hypertension. Foods which contain high sodium level can make body retain water. In most instances, this condition directly results in increased blood pressure.
Cardiovascular Diseases — Increased blood pressure caused due to high sodium level can build up tension on arteries. It can give rise to a large number of heart-related diseases and conditions like stroke, heart attack, narrowing of arteries (stenosis) and much more.
Kidney Diseases — People who consume high amount of salt are at a greater risk of kidney diseases like kidney stones. Sometimes, it can also result in kidney failure. Patients should cut down salty foods and drink water as much as possible to minimize the risk of kidney diseases.
Important Tips to Reduce Intake of Sodium
Everyone can manage their health by following the given simple steps on a day-to-day basis.
Nutritional Information — One should always check the nutritional information while buying any kind of processed food from market.
Restaurants — These days, many restaurants have started to put up a menu along with nutritional value of food on their website. One should avoid eating meals which contain high sodium levels.
Compare Different Brands — People should cultivate the habit of comparing different brands of food items and choose the ones which have minimum sodium content.
Cooking Method — One should use more spices and herbs while cooking and add salt in minimum quantities. One should restrict the intake of salty snacks, bread, pickles, and cheese as they contain a high amount of sodium.
In addition to these steps, people may also consult a dietician or nutritionist to maintain proper health. Nutritionists can guide patients on what to eat and what to avoid for retaining a sound health.
For queries related to medical treatments for cardiovascular diseases, kidney diseases or any other medical problems, feel free to contact Travcure Healthcare Consultants or email your query to: help@travcure.com
