Human body cannot survive without certain amount of sodium in our body which can be found in salt. Well, salt is needed to transmit nerve impulses, contract and muscle fibers and to maintain proper fluid balance in our body.
Salt is one of the important ingredient that should be included in our diet. It carries electrical impulses that control many of our bodily functions. It also plays a major role in digestion by breaking down the food and creates hydrochloric acid.
But, too much of sodium is bad for cardiovascular system. Even recent studies have shown that it may increase the risk of heart failure.
A new research conducted in Spain, examines the link between intake of salt and risk of heart failure.
The first author of the study known to be professor at the national institute of health and welfare in Finland, explained – high intake of salt may lead to increase of high blood pressure and an independent risk factor for heart stroke.
The world health organization (WHO) recommended, reducing the intake of sodium/salt by 30 percent in order to reduce the chronic heart disease.In addition to stroke and chronic diseases, heart failure is one of the major cardiovascular diseases globally.
Link of Salt Intake with Heart Failure:
To know the link between the salt intake and heart failure, the professor jousilhati had recommended a method called “24 hour sodium excretion” method. It is considered as the most accurate technique to measure salt intake of an individual.
This method was conducted for 4,630 men and women aged between 25 and 64 in the year 1979 and 2002.
The researchers gathered all the information about the participants including their health habits and measured their body mass index, height, weight and blood pressure.
These participants are nearly followed by 12 years and all the information from the participants have been recorded in their national health records.
Intake of Salt in High Amount Lead to Double Risk of Heart Failure:
After the study have been done, researchers have found that 121 participants both men and women developed a new heart failure because of intake of salt in high amount.
People who consume salt of about 13.7 grams will easily develop double risk of heart failure compared to people who consume only 6.8 grams of salt.
So it’s better to limit the intake of salt in required quantity to get rid of heart failure.
How to lower the Salt in Your Diet:
The key to avoid salt intake in your diet is, read the nutritional labels whenever you are going to buy any products in grocery shops.
If the product contains 35mg of sodium, then it contains very low sodium intake.
If the product contains 140 mg then it is high in sodium.
Even if you decrease the intake of salt in your diet, your taste buds regenerates for every few weeks and becomes strong after a month.