Consuming Salt Increases The Risk of Serious Kidney Diseases

     The salty taste is a favorite among Thai people, coming from sodium chloride (salt) used in cooking. Sodium is beneficial to the body as it helps maintain normal circulation, blood pressure, and blood volume. However, it should not be consumed excessively—no more than 2,000 milligrams per day (about 1 teaspoon). Too much sodium can have harmful effects on health.

What Are the Effects of Eating Too Much Salt?

     When we consume salt, we tend to feel thirsty, which increases the amount of salt in the blood. This makes the heart work harder to pump blood to different body parts, increasing blood pressure. This can lead to heart enlargement and, eventually, heart failure. Excessive salt intake can also cause high blood pressure, which may result in stroke or paralysis. The dangerous part is that the body may not show symptoms right away, but the damage to organs continues over time. Regular health check-ups are therefore crucial.

How to Reduce the Risk of Kidney Disease by Adjusting Your Diet

• Consume fresh, natural foods focusing on vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and legumes, which are low in sodium and high in fiber, benefiting the digestive system.
• Reduce the use of seasonings Try tasting food before adding extra seasoning and reduce the use of salty condiments like fish sauce, soy sauce, and vinegar.
• Read labels before buying Look for products with nutrition labels that state "Low Sodium," indicating low sodium content.

Changing eating habits doesn't require drastic measures. You can gradually adjust over time. It may take some time, but the result will be good health and protection from various diseases! Give it a try—you can do it!