Eating less salt is good for health, we all know this. But do you know that eating too little salt can be harmful to your health?

Eating less salt is good for health, we all know this. But do you know that eating too little salt can be harmful to your health? Recently a doctor has highlighted that consuming less salt can lead to several health problems. Low sodium levels can increase the risk of heart failure, kidney disease and even dementia.

Dr. Sudhir Kumar, top neurologist at Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals, Hyderabad, shared a video on social media that a healthy person should not consume less salt, as it can increase diabetes, cholesterol and other health-related problems. He said that there is a general perception that salt is unhealthy and its consumption can reduce the risk of hypertension and heart disease. The World Health Organization (WHO) also advises that adults should consume less than 2000 mg of sodium daily (about 5 grams of salt, a little less than a teaspoon).

Issuing a warning about healthy individuals, Dr. Sudhir Kumar said that healthy people consuming less salt can increase the risk of insulin resistance, which can also increase the chances of diabetes. Along with this, lack of salt can also increase the level of total cholesterol, triglycerides and LDL cholesterol, which is harmful to health.

Why is sodium important?

He also said that adequate intake of sodium is essential for the proper functioning of the brain, nerves and muscles. People with low sodium intake can also have weakness, fatigue, vertigo, coma, seizures and in severe cases death. However, in some people, high salt intake can increase blood pressure, which is called 'salt-sensitive hypertension'. He said that about 50 percent of people suffering from hypertension and 25 percent of the general population can be salt-sensitive, who need to control salt intake. Salt-sensitivity is seen more in women, the elderly, obese people and people with kidney disease.

What is the doctor's advice?

Dr Kumar suggested that healthy people (those with kidneys functioning fine) can consume normal salt, but those on salt-restricted diets should keep an eye out for signs and symptoms of sodium deficiency.