According to the US National Kidney Foundation, consuming too much sodium causes the kidneys to work harder to excrete excess salt from the body. In the long run, this can increase blood pressure - one of the leading causes of chronic kidney disease.
Experts say that many people today have a habit of eating salty food without realizing it. Not only salt is added directly in meals, sodium also appears a lot in processed foods such as instant noodles, sausages, canned foods, dipping sauces or fast food.
According to Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, a high-salt diet can cause the body to retain water, increase pressure on blood vessels and affect kidney filtration function. People with underlying diseases such as hypertension, diabetes (diabetes) or older adults need to control their salt intake more strictly.
In addition, the habit of dipping in salt, fish sauce or eating pickled food regularly also causes sodium levels to exceed the recommended level. The World Health Organization recommends that each adult should consume less than 5 grams of salt per day.
Experts advise people to develop a habit of eating lighter foods, prioritizing fresh foods, limiting processed foods and carefully reading the nutritional content on food packaging.
Reducing salt not only helps protect the kidneys but also contributes to reducing the risk of stroke, cardiovascular disease and long-term high blood pressure.
