New Delhi: Most of us like to add a little extra salt to our food. A low salt intake is a detriment to our food, whether it’s sprinkling it on snacks or enjoying processed foods. Consuming too much salt daily is a habit that many people don’t even think about, but it can be more serious and worrying than we realize.
Dr Venkat Subramaniam, senior urologist and executive director of AINU Hospital in Chennai, explained in an Instagram post on October 23rd how excessive salt intake can harm your kidneys and what you can do to protect them.
How much salt is too much for your kidneys?
Dr. Venkat Subramaniam explains that many people overestimate how much salt they consume daily. Over time, this can lead to serious kidney problems like kidney stones, high blood pressure, and even impaired kidney function. People who are already at risk of kidney failure need to be especially careful about their salt intake.
He further explains that even small changes in daily cooking can go a long way. You don’t need to add more salt. Instead, you can naturally enhance the flavor of your dishes by using ingredients like lemon, pepper, and garlic. These enhance flavor and aroma, while also reducing your reliance on excessive salt. This is a simple and effective method, but it’s not widely known.
How can you reduce salt without compromising on taste?
Dr. Subramanian advises being cautious about hidden salt in packaged and processed foods, saying, “Even if you add very little salt when cooking, processed foods can significantly increase your total sodium intake. So pay attention to labels and eat fresh foods over packaged ones whenever possible.”
A little awareness and changes in cooking habits can help you keep your kidneys healthy for years to come.