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High sodium consumption causes hypertension, heart disease, and damage to the kidneys.

Protect your heart and kidneys by reducing processed foods, using fresh ingredients, and using herbs or natural seasonings instead of salt.
Salt is essential for the body, but excessive consumption can be dangerous to the heart and kidneys. The WHO recommends a daily intake of less than 5 grams, but most people exceed this limit because of processed foods and bad eating habits. High sodium consumption causes hypertension, heart disease, and damage to the kidneys. Therefore, salt consumption needs to be monitored, and only healthier, low-sodium options must be chosen. Dr Sushant Srivastava, Chairperson Heart & Lungs Transplant, Cardio Thoracic and Vascular Surgery, Artemis Hospitals shares all you need to know:
Impact on the Heart
Excess sodium causes fluid retention, which makes the blood volume increase. This also increases pressure on the arteries and therefore contributes to hypertension, a significant risk factor for cardiovascular diseases. Pressure may strain the heart and force it to work harder; this often causes left ventricular hypertrophy and eventually leads to heart failure. High sodium levels can also induce inflammation and oxidative stress that accelerates the condition of atherosclerosis, or the narrowing of arteries due to plaques, increasing the risks of heart attack and stroke.
Effect on the Kidneys
The kidneys control sodium levels in the body. Excessive intake of sodium places a burden on the kidneys to excrete it, causing hypernatremia due to high sodium levels in the blood. Hypernatremia tends to enhance renal pressure and hence contributes to glomerular hypertension. Which will damage the kidney’s tiny filtering units called nephrons over time, progressing into chronic kidney disease (CKD) and disrupting the ability of the kidneys to filter waste. Elevated sodium levels promote calcium loss in the urine, thereby increasing the chances of having kidney stones.
In short, protect your heart and kidneys by reducing processed foods, using fresh ingredients, and using herbs or natural seasonings instead of salt. A well-balanced diet can greatly help reduce the risks of cardiovascular and kidney diseases for long-term wellness.