As they get older, many people become extra careful about their diet, especially when it comes to salt intake. When cooking at home, put a little less soy sauce, eat less pickles, and worry about blood pressure spikes when the food outside is a little salty. But is it true that less salt is better? A doctor's remark may turn many people's perception that if the blood pressure does not exceed a certain number, blind salt control is not only unnecessary, but may also affect health.

Salt, is it really that scary?

Many people firmly believe that salt is the "culprit" of high blood pressure, and as long as you eat less salt, your blood pressure can be stable and your blood vessels can be healthy. But in fact, sodium chloride, the main component of salt, is an essential mineral for the human body, which is involved in important physiological processes such as nerve signaling, muscle contraction, and blood pressure regulation. If you consume too little salt, sodium levels in your body can drop and you may develop hyponatremia, a condition that is even more dangerous than high blood pressure.

Extreme salt control may be counterproductive!

There is a medical study that is very interesting, scientists surveyed more than 12 elderly people, and found that those who strictly control salt and consume less than 0 grams of salt per day have more unstable blood pressure, and even 0% of people have dizziness, fatigue, palpitations and other low sodium symptoms. Even more surprisingly, their risk of death was 0% higher than that of those who ate salt in moderation.

This study shows that extreme salt control is not necessarily the healthiest option. Especially for people who do not have high blood pressure, eating a little salt in moderation may be more beneficial to the body.

Strict salt control may cause more problems!

Conversely, a long-term low-salt diet can trigger a range of health problems:

? Affects blood pressure regulation

Long-term diet with very low salt will significantly increase the levels of renin and aldosterone in the blood. These two hormones work to help the body maintain blood pressure balance. If sodium intake is insufficient, the body will mistakenly think that "lack of water and salt", so it activates the sodium preservation mechanism, and as a result, blood vessels constrict, and blood pressure may rise. This also explains why some people eat very lightly, but their blood pressure cannot be lowered, and it is even higher than before.

? Affects stomach health

A moderate amount of salt stimulates gastric acid secretion and aids food digestion. If the salt intake is too small, the secretion of gastric acid decreases, the digestive function becomes weaker, and over time, it is easy to cause stomach bloating, anorexia, and even increase the risk of Helicobacter pylori infection.

? Affects bone health

Many people think that eating too much salt will cause calcium to be lost, which will affect bone density. But in reality, it's the absorption and intake of calcium that is key. If enough calcium is added to the daily diet, the effect of moderate salt on bones is almost negligible.

? Increased risk of depression

The body's nerve signaling relies on sodium ions. If sodium intake is insufficient for a long time, the conduction efficiency of the nervous system may decrease, affecting the stability of mood. Studies have found that the proportion of depression and anxiety in people who strictly control salt is 18% higher than that of people who eat salt normally.

How to control salt intake?

The World Health Organization recommends that the daily salt intake be limited to 5 grams, which is about the amount of a beer bottle cap. For the average person, this amount is more appropriate, which will not affect health and ensure taste satisfaction.

For the elderly whose blood pressure has been stable for a long time and there are no serious cardiovascular problems, eating a moderate amount of salt does not have to be too harsh on themselves, but may be more beneficial to the body.

Blind salt control may bring unintended consequences!

Many people only pay attention to the "relationship between salt and high blood pressure", but do not realize that a long-term low-salt diet may affect the elasticity of blood vessels, the stability of the nervous system, and even increase the risk of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. The body's blood vessels are like elastic rubber tubes, and the right amount of sodium can help maintain the tension of the blood vessel walls and make blood flow smoother. If salt intake is inadequate for a long time, blood vessels may become fragile and unable to effectively regulate blood pressure fluctuations.

Scientific studies have found that a low-sodium diet may cause an overactivation of the sympathetic nervous system, putting the body in a state of chronic stress, which can easily induce blood pressure instability. For the elderly, if the blood vessels are in a state of low tension for a long time, it may affect the local blood supply, such as insufficient blood supply to the brain, resulting in dizziness, memory loss, and even increased risk of dementia in old age.

More seriously, an extremely low-salt diet may lead to a decrease in plasma volume, slowing blood circulation and increasing the likelihood of blood clots, which can increase the risk of stroke or heart attack.

Salt is not a beast, and moderate salt intake is essential for health. Older people do not need to overly restrict salt intake, especially those with normal blood pressure, and should adjust their diet reasonably according to their own conditions. Remember, a healthy lifestyle and a scientific diet are the keys to staying healthy.

Proofread by Zhuang Wu