Salt and High Blood Pressure

Is something wrong? Why are you looking so worried and tense? Have you or somebody who is near and dear to you been diagnosed with high blood pressure? Yep, and the level of blood pressure is quite high. The doctor has prescribed medicines and advised to take precautions. Then there is nothing to worry. The pressure will be controlled. No, the reason for worry is not that. Then what is the actual reason for your worry? The actual reason for worry is the doctor’s advice to reduce or completely stop the intake of salt as the sodium content in salt is harmful for blood pressure.

Why is Salt Harmful? 

No, salt is not totally harmful for the body. Certain amount of salt is necessary for the body and the level of the salt is controlled by the kidneys. But the problem arises when salt is consumed in excessive quantity. The kidney is not able to control the level of the extra salt and it enters the blood stream. So what salt is needed for the body then how is it harmful? Yes, the salt content which can be controlled by the kidneys is not harmful but if that same salt enters the blood stream then it is harmful.

How? Salt has the tendency to attract water towards it. So when the excess salt in the blood stream draws water towards it which increases the volume of the blood in the blood stream due to which blood pressure is raised and this persistent rise causes high blood pressure. What is the normal amount of salt required by the body? It is said that nearly five hundred milligrams of salt is the ideal amount for the body to function properly but that is too les we consume a larger quantity than that which is harmful in the long run as it causes high blood pressure.

What is the method of reducing Salt intake?

Before knowing about the method of reducing salt intake you should know the actual facts. What is the actual fact? Researchers have discovered that the amount of salt that you intake is not harmful as long as the body is able to maintain the required level in the body. So the same amount of salt will have different effect on different individual. The people whose body is not able to maintain the level are called salt sensitive people and this people develop the problem of high blood pressure caused by salt intake.

The best way to reduce salt intake is to avoid all types of processed and preserved food. Increase fruits and vegetables in the diet. Include food items which are rich in calcium, potassium and magnesium. These three minerals will increase the body’s capacity to absorb the sodium in the body and reduce the level of the raised blood pressure.