Salt is an essential seasoning in our daily lives. Consuming too little salt can cause edema and weakness, while consuming too much can be harmful to the body. So what exactly happens when we consume too much salt, and what are the negative effects on our health?
One of the main components of table salt is sodium chloride. Consuming excessive amounts of sodium ions can lead to water and sodium retention, resulting in increased blood volume and cell swelling. Increased blood volume leads to elevated blood pressure, while cell swelling narrows the blood vessels. Sodium ions also increase the sensitivity of blood vessels to vasoconstrictive factors.
Excessive salt consumption can also contribute to the development of gastric cancer. The high osmotic pressure of salt can directly damage the gastric mucosa. Animal experiments have shown that feeding rats with high concentrations (12% or 20%) of salt water results in extensive congestion, edema, erosion, necrosis, and bleeding of the gastric mucosa. However, low concentrations of salt water do not cause these pathological changes. Consuming too much salt also reduces stomach acid and inhibits the role of prostaglandin E2 in enhancing gastric mucosal resistance. A decrease in gastric mucosal resistance makes it more prone to gastritis or gastric ulcers.
Excessive sodium ions compete with calcium ions, leading to increased calcium excretion. At the same time, sodium salt stimulates parathyroid hormone in humans, activating adenylate cyclase on the membrane of "gastric-breaking cells," thereby promoting gastric salt dissolution and disrupting the dynamic balance of bone metabolism. This can lead to osteoporosis and even fractures.
Consuming too much salt can also make individuals more susceptible to colds. Excess salt intake reduces saliva secretion, creating an environment favorable for the presence of various bacteria and viruses in the upper respiratory tract. Sodium in table salt has high osmotic permeability and can inhibit the activity of respiratory tract cells, thereby suppressing their ability to fight off diseases. The protective function of oral and pharyngeal epithelial cells decreases, making it easier for bacteria and viruses to invade and cause colds.
High concentrations of sodium ions in the body can cause water and sodium retention, leading to fluid retention. Many cases of female obesity are actually caused by edema. If you want to lose weight, it's worth considering whether excessive salt consumption is the cause.
The kidneys are vital organs that excrete metabolic waste, maintain the stability of electrolytes such as sodium, potassium, and calcium, and balance acid-base levels in the body. Consuming too much salt increases the intake of sodium, putting a heavier burden on the kidneys to excrete sodium. Over time, this can cause significant damage to the kidneys.
A helpful tip is that the recommended safe intake of sodium for the human body is 1000-2500 milligrams. Since salt contains 40% sodium, our daily salt intake should not exceed 2.5-6 grams. In other words, our daily salt intake should not exceed the size of a bottle cap from a beer bottle.
