What are the disadvantages of eating too much salt? Is it harmful?

None of us can live without salt, but the more salt we eat, the better. Generally, the daily intake should be controlled at around 5 grams. If we eat too much, it will cause harm to the body. In severe cases, it can increase the risk of kidney disease and stomach cancer. The consequences can be very serious.

Excessive sodium salt is one of the main causes of hypertension and cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. For patients with hypertension and kidney disease, excessive salt intake is fatal. Failure to control salt intake is tantamount to chronic suicide.

According to data from the 2011 China Heart Conference, there are currently 230 million people in China suffering from cardiovascular diseases such as coronary heart disease, stroke, heart failure and hypertension. Every year, 3 million people die from cardiovascular disease, and 1 in every 3 deaths is caused by cardiovascular disease. A light diet is essential for preventing hypertension and cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases.

The World Health Organization recommends a daily salt intake of 5 grams, but according to a 2011 report from the Chinese Nutrition Society, the average daily salt intake of urban residents in China is 11 grams, and that of rural residents is 17 grams, which is 2 to 3 times the amount recommended by the WHO. Add to that the hidden salt in foods such as bread and cake, and the average person's salt intake in a day is shocking.

As early as the beginning of 2013, the general principles of nutrition labeling for pre-packaged foods were implemented nationwide, and the mandatory standard nutrition information table was a very important part of it. When purchasing products, consumers can refer to the "sodium" content in the nutrition label to decide how much to purchase or consume.