Excessive salt intake increases the risk of noncommunicable diseases, especially hypertension, which can lead to strokes, cardiovascular diseases, and kidney disease. It is linked to 30% of hypertension cases and 1.65 million cardiovascular deaths annually, and is also associated with a higher risk of gastric cancer.

How Salt Affects Your Kidneys

Your kidneys play a vital role in balancing sodium levels in the body. When you consume excess salt, the kidneys work harder to filter out the extra sodium. Over time, this strain can:

• Reduce kidney function
• Cause fluid retention
• Increase pressure on delicate kidney blood vessels

This damage can accumulate slowly and doesn’t usually cause symptoms until kidney function is already significantly impaired.

Why Salt Raises Blood Pressure

When the body holds on to more sodium, it also holds on to more water. This extra fluid increases the volume of blood flowing through your blood vessels, leading to higher blood pressure. Persistently high blood pressure damages the arteries in the kidneys, making it harder for them to filter waste efficiently.

Controlling the amount of salt means, you’re not only protecting your kidneys.

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