Really Salt Cause Hypertension ?

Salt which is also known as sodium chloride is a compound composed of 40% sodium and 60% chloride. Both are electrolytes which play an important role in health. Electrolytes are atoms with an electric charge present in body fluids. There are many effects in the work of the human body.

Sodium, for example, plays a role in muscle contraction, nerve function, and regulates blood volume and pressure. Sodium deficiency due to sweating or loss of fluid can cause muscle cramps. Meanwhile, chloride helps maintain fluid balance in cells so that the volume and blood pressure remain stable.

So if these two minerals are actually important, why do many say that salt causes hypertension, aka high blood pressure?

The relationship between salt and hypertension

About 95 percent of hypertensive people are diagnosed with primary hypertension, which is when the cause of this condition is unknown. While secondary hypertension is hypertension caused by other diseases and can still be cured.

In primary hypertension, there are many factors mentioned can increase the risk of hypertension, including salt intake. Yes, many say that salt causes hypertension. In fact, the reality is not that simple.

The removal of residual fluid in the body by the kidneys depends on the balance of sodium and potassium to bind water and deliver it to the bladder. Most salt intake will damage the balance of sodium and potassium, making it difficult for the kidneys to work well. What then happens is fluid retention followed by a rise in blood pressure.

Most salt intake also causes pressure which weakens the walls of the arteries. These arteries that have been depressed will thicken and become increasingly narrow, so that blood pressure rises. Eventually, the arteries will burst or become blocked.

Organs that are connected to the damaged arteries then lack oxygen. Lack of oxygen can cause organ damage. If this happens to the coronary arteries that supply the heart, you could have a heart attack.

Maybe you are sensitive to salt

Hypertension is a health condition that is influenced by genetic factors (heredity) and lifestyle. Although research has proven that table salt is one of the main factors triggering hypertension in terms of lifestyle, the risk is different for each person.

The experts found that some people might be fine even though their diets were high in salt. However, there are also those who experience high blood pressure or flatulence if most of the salt. This so-called salt-sensitive condition can be experienced by anyone, whether they have hypertension or not.

Salt sensitive is a condition inherited from the family. People with this condition need to monitor their salt intake closely. In addition to heredity, there are also things that determine how your blood pressure reacts to salt.

Gender: Women experience more sensitivity to salt than men.
Age: People over 45 years may be more sensitive to salt.
Obesity.
Have a medical condition: Hypertension, diabetes, and chronic kidney disease can increase your risk of being sensitive to salt.

According to the American Heart Association, about more than 50 percent of hypertensive people are sensitive to salt. In fact, 1 in 4 people with normal blood pressure is actually sensitive to salt and at risk of developing hypertension due to today's high salt diet.

Is it only the suspect salt?

We can't just accuse salt of causing hypertension. According to research in the journal Open Heart, excessive sugar consumption can also make blood pressure surge. This is because most of the sugar in the body will increase insulin levels. From there, high insulin will activate the sympathetic nervous system. The body will respond by stimulating the heartbeat and increasing blood pressure. In addition, the receptors which are responsible for regulating blood pressure levels are also impaired in function.

High sugar diets, even if they are only for a few weeks, are reported to have a significant impact on blood pressure. Even the impact is staying bigger than a high-salt diet. In a separate study, people who drank 700 ml of sugary drinks showed an increase in blood pressure in just a few hours afterwards.

The key is a balanced intake

Although limiting salt intake is good, salt deficiency can also be dangerous. So, you do not need to abstain from salt altogether for fear that salt causes hypertension. It is highly recommended to reduce salt, especially people who are sensitive to salt.

The best way to start limiting salt is to reduce the consumption of instant food in packages. The reason is, about 77% of daily sodium is usually obtained from packaged foods (frozen meat, processed spices, and canned foods).

Reducing packaged foods will also encourage you to eat foods high in vitamins, minerals, fiber, and other important nutrients. Especially if coupled with a balanced intake of magnesium and potassium, you do not need to worry too much about whether salt causes high blood pressure.