Consuming too much salt can be harmful to your health, particularly to your heart. A diet high in salt increases the risk of heart attacks, strokes, and even kidney disease. However, eating too little salt is also dangerous.
To ensure good health, salt should be consumed in moderation. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends no more than 5 grams of salt per day, while the American Heart Association suggests that the ideal level is about 3.8 grams per day, according to Medical News Today (UK).
Salt is rich in sodium, which plays a very important role in health.
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Problems from Consuming Too Little Salt:
Electrolyte Imbalance
Electrolytes such as sodium, potassium, calcium, and magnesium are electrically charged minerals that play a key role in vital functions like nerve signaling, muscle contraction, and fluid balance within the body. An electrolyte imbalance disrupts these processes, leading to various complications.
Salt is rich in sodium, which is particularly important for regulating the amount of water inside and outside of cells. A sodium deficiency can cause cells to swell, leading to symptoms ranging from mild (such as nausea and headaches) to severe (such as seizures and coma).
Hyponatremia
When too little salt is consumed, it reduces the sodium levels in the blood. Hyponatremia occurs when sodium levels fall below normal, causing water to rush into cells and make them swell. This is especially dangerous when brain cells swell, as the skull has no room to expand, potentially leading to neurological issues such as confusion, seizures, and, in severe cases, coma.
Low Blood Pressure
Sodium in salt helps regulate blood pressure by controlling the amount of fluid in the body. Sodium also helps retain water, ensuring that there is enough blood volume to maintain stable blood pressure. If you consume too little sodium, your blood volume can decrease, resulting in low blood pressure. Symptoms of this include dizziness and fainting.
Reduced Nerve and Muscle Function
Sodium is essential for transmitting nerve impulses and muscle contraction. This mineral helps generate and transmit electrical signals between nerve cells and also promotes muscle contraction and relaxation. A lack of sodium can lead to cramps, muscle weakness, and spasms. The nervous system can also be affected, leading to symptoms such as confusion, lethargy, and seizures.
A daily salt intake is considered too low when it is less than 3.8 grams per day. This level may not provide enough sodium, a mineral that makes up 40% of salt, to maintain the body’s normal physiological functions. If you consume less than 2.5 grams of salt per day, you are at high risk of hyponatremia, low blood pressure, and body dysfunction, according to Medical News Today.
This article is originally published on vietnam.vn.
