Long-Term Effects of Too Much Salt
Video 1. Sodium and Arterial Function: A-salting our Endothelium (YouTube link ) The Western diet is rich in salt, which poses various health risks. For example, too much sodium in the diet can lead to high blood pressure, stomach cancer, kidney stones, bone loss, obesity and even cause direct damage to our kidneys, arteries, and heart. According to the WHO’s recommendations, the maximum amount of salt individuals should consume every day is 5 grams , which is about 1 level teaspoon. In reality most of us are exceeding this amount considerably. Long-Term Effects of Too Much Salt Bad for cardiovascular systems [5] Consume one salty meal, and not only does our blood pressure go up, but our arteries literally stiffen Sodium in our blood stiffens the artery lining within minutes and reduces nitric oxide release Whereas potassium , concentrated in fruits and vegetables, softens the cells that line our arteries and increases the release of...