Salt makes food tastier, but we know that balancing the salt intake is important as it is correlated with cardiovascular diseases, such as high blood pressure, kidney issues, etc. Salt is present in foods like cheese, bread, fast foods, processed foods, etc., which we consume almost every day. But overconsuming salt affects gut microbiota badly, resulting in health issues.
The gut’s microbial composition is linked to cardiovascular diseases, including hypertension (high blood pressure), and kidney issues. Sodium in the salt is required to control the blood pressure and support nerve and muscle fibers’ function. Doctors recommend taking 1500 mg of sodium per day and not to exceed more than 2300 mg, one teaspoon salt.
Overconsuming salt affects gut microbiota, leading to poor health. What we eat influences our gut microbiome directly, increasing many different diseases. A high salt diet can alter the gut microbiota, which may be associated with high blood pressure and autoimmune diseases. A probiotic (or other fermented foods/supplements) contains Lactobacillus bacteria. Consuming it helps the microbiome protect against ailments.
Health Risks Connected With High Salt Diet
Diet plays a vital role in lifestyle stressors, genetics, infections, and medical interventions to influence the intestine life. These factors disturb the balance of the good probiotic bacteria than the pathogenic bacteria, stopping you from keeping your gut healthy.
The risk factor of health issues related to the overconsumption of salt is severe for all age groups. People with a high blood pressure family history and following a sedentary lifestyle have a higher risk. The blood pressure levels have been rising in both men and women worldwide, due to the high salt diet.
It develops a condition of a leaky gut that means intestinal permeability. The small intestine linings become damaged, causing the undigested food particles, bacteria, and toxins to leak through the intestine into the bloodstream. The intestine acts as a barrier that only absorbs nutrients and water and excludes toxins and bacteria that make us sick. The gut bacteria’s imbalance condition acts as a catalyst to several diseases related to the digestive system, severe chronic inflammatory, and autoimmune diseases.
Salt And Gut Microbiome
Overconsuming salt affects gut microbiota severely. Sodium can upset cardiovascular health. In the studies, it identified a relationship between the salt intake and livelihood of salt-sensitive microbes. Consuming a high-salt diet affects beneficial bacteria like Lactobacillus murinus in our gut microbiome. It changes the microbial activities.
In one study, one group of mice was fed high salt diet and another regular diet. The finding shows the one with a high salt diet lowered Lactobacillus type. This decrease in the bacteria increases risk factors for the diseases. A high-salt diet alters the gut microbiota, associated with high blood pressure and autoimmune diseases in both mice and humans.
Conclusion
To encourage a healthy lifestyle, one should learn about a healthy diet and gut health, reduce salt intake, and increase probiotics intake. There is a powerful impact of dietary and lifestyle choices on our health. Including healthy foods and supplementing the beneficial bacteria help promote a healthy microbiome and improves the other body systems. Choose more herbs and spices in replacement of the salt.
Avoid restaurant and processed food, also pay attention to the label of the food package labels. Besides adding supplements and good bacteria from the food, do consult a specialist, exercise, drink water, and manage stress levels for good health. The conclusion is we should avoid a salty diet and restrict sodium intake. Less salt means better for our health and our gut microbiota.
Read Also: 7 Ways Unhealthy Gut Affects Your Body
