Salt causes diverse health complications
By: Chioma Umeha …Affects blood vessels, kidneys, brain, others Physicians have provided evidence that even in the absence of increase in blood pressure, excess dietary sodium can adversely affect target organs, including the blood vessels, heart, kidneys and the brain. Sodium is essential for fluid balance and cellular homeostasis, or maintenance of a stable internal environment in an organism. But the amount of salt needed to maintain homeostasis in adults is quite low – about 500 milligrams (mg) per day. On the contrary, many consume more than six times that much, which leads to high blood pressure in many people.New research has suggested that not everyone can eat salty snacks and convenience foods without having low blood pressure. A review paper co-authored by two faculty members in the University of Delaware College of Health Sciences and two physicians at the Christiana Care Health System provides evidence that even in the absence of an increase in blood pressure