Intake of Sodium is
increasing globally. It is indicated that if individuals increase their
consumption of sodium then it can increase their changes of blood
pressure. Blood pressure is considered to the key factor of
cardiovascular disease (Mozaffarian &Powles, 2014). Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention and other health union illustrated that there is a
strong relationship between Sodium consumption and cardiovascular disease. The
side effects of increase sodium intake vary with age and gender (Mozaffarian
& Powles, 2014). Elevated blood pressure is the key cause of high mortality
rate in US; around 200,000 female deaths were reported each year. It is five
more times high than Breast Cancer (Mozaffarian& Powles, 2014).
High consumption of sodium also
put you at risk of kidney diseases, osteoporosis and gastric troubles.
Consuming high salty food may have an impact on blood vessels and impair the
function. It can also reduce the flow-mediated dilation shortly. One of the
researchers claimed that the high intake of sodium widened the blood vessels,
and it is the first step in the progression of atherosclerosis
Increase sodium consumption
is also associated with metabolic syndrome. Many studies have been conducted on
the same theme. In Korea, a study was held which shows that there is a
relationship between metabolic syndrome and high intake of sodium (Rhee &
Kim, 2013). A certain cluster of people was examined who have a high intake of
sodium in their daily life and metabolic syndrome was found in those
candidates. Metabolic syndrome is also a cause of cardiovascular disease
(Rhee& Kim, 2013). The study also found a relationship between metabolic syndrome
and sodium sensitivity (Rhee & Kim, 2013). Candidates show signs of sodium
sensitivity have elevated the level of blood pressure even at relatively low
level as contrast to those with no sodium sensitivity (Rhee& Kim, 2013).
Association between increase salt
consumption and stomach cancer has also been reported (Cappuccio, 2013).
Elevated level of salt can be the cause of stomach cancer and its alarming sign
to public health authorities (Cappuccio, 2013). There are many experimental
evidences to support this theory. One study claimed that increased salt
consumption could accumulate in stomach and cause damage to cell lines; in turn
inflammation occurs (Cappuccio, 2013). As a result, cells that lined the
stomach and provide barrier ruptures and in the end, encounter of
microorganisms occurs which is the leading cause of gastric ulcer (Cappuccio,
2013).
Sodium is the key element, which
balances the fluid system in the body. Increase uptake of sodium may produce
thirst and elevated the level of fluid intake (Cappuccio, 2013). Heart and
kidney are the two major organs that play a vital role in the human body
(Cappuccio, 2013). Dysregulation of these organs’ function results in fluid
retention and can be provoked by increase uptake of sodium (Cappuccio, 2013).
Researchers also found a
relationship between increased consumption of sodium and disease called
Contract (vision problem) (Cappuccio, 2013). There are sodium pumps found in
the body cells that function as to maintain the sodium concentration in cells.
Increase uptake of sodium makes these pumps difficult to work properly and
unable to balance the concentration of sodium within these cells (Cappuccio,
2013).
Increase consumption of sodium is
also related to the disorder of the inner ear. There is no cure of this
illness, but researchers found that the high intake of sodium elevates their
risk, and low level may relieve symptoms (Cappuccio, 2013).
Works Cited
Cappuccio, F.P., 2013.
Cardiovascular and other effects of salt consumption. Kidney
International Supplements, 3(4),
pp.312–15.
Mozaffarian,
D. & Powles, J., 2014. Global sodium consumption and death from
cardiovascular causes. New England Journal of Medicine, 371(7),
pp.624-34.
Rhee, M.-Y. & Kim, S.-W., 2013. High Sodium Intake in Women with
Metabolic Syndrome. Korean Circulation Journal, 44(1), pp.30-36).
Hi Yong,
ReplyDeleteThis was a great and informative post. I had always known that sodium actually makes a person more thirsty. Someone once told me that if you have nothing to drink but beer or soda, choose the beer because although it has alcohol, it won't dehydrate you as much as soda would. I have always known that too much sodium can be bad for you, but I had no idea that it could lead to all those complications. I have read so many articles of people who are addicted to soda/sodium, and now I know what may happen to their body if they keep continuing on their sodium infused path. I'm going to lessen my intake of salt now.
Yong,
ReplyDeleteThis was a good informative post. People don't understand what a great amount of sodium consumption can do to the body. Going along with KYang I can agree that consuming sodium does actually make you more thirsty. I've always been told that eating a lot of salt could lead to high blood pressure among other things. I tend to eat a lot of salt and sometimes have an unhealthy diet and my dad is always telling me that it's going to catch up to me. Now I try to stay away from the salts and eat on the healthier side with fruits and vegetables. But it all does come down to what we eat and how we diet. I hope all take it more serious myself included. Great post !
This post have been very informative. I do not think much about my sodium intake nor do I track how much sodium is in my food. This post has really opened my eyes to my diet and I feel like I should definitely be paying more attention to the sodium level in anything I eat. I also understand that having to much of something is bad for our bodies and not just sodium. Great read and makes me think twice about eating healthier and having a more balanced diet.
ReplyDeleteYong,
ReplyDeleteI was very glad to read your article. I was one of the people who assumed that high blood pressure was the only consequence of a high salt diet. I was not aware of all the other possible consequences of salt consumption. I am certain that this article will help others realize the truth about how salt can affect the human body. The idea that there is a link between stomach cancer and high salt diets is very very scary. I had a mother of friend pass away from stomach cancer and this article really hits close to home. Thank you for informing people on this subject.