Who doesn’t love a dish that’s both spicy and salty? And who can forget the delicious sweet and savory food that we eat every meal? The heart wants what it wants But is it good for your heart health? over the past few decades Research shows more and more. that diets rich in salt and sugar can cause problems for your heart and put you at risk for many cardiovascular diseases. for the benefit of your heart Let’s find out if sugar and salt are good for your heart!
Health Shots asked Dr. Mohit Tandon, Consultant Non-Invasive Cardiologist, Fortis Escorts Hospital, Okhla, New Delhi, to understand how sugar and salt are bad for your heart.
Why is sugar bad for your heart?
Natural sugar may not be as bad for you as processed sugar or even artificial sweeteners. Ever heard of added sugar in processed foods? Your favorite junk foods, such as soda, processed juices, cookies, candy, cakes, contain added sugars that can lead to a number of health problems.
According to a 2014 study published in the journal JAMA International Medicine, Dr. Tandon determined that those who consumed 17-21 percent of their calories from added sugars were more likely to die of heart disease than those who didn’t. eat “The more sugar you consume, the more The more you have heart disease, the more likely you are,” experts say.
Sugar may not directly affect your heart. But it may have an indirect effect by increasing the risk of the following risk factors. The expert added Excess sugar in your diet is metabolized by the liver and converted to fat. which over time may lead to fatty liver and obesity This increases the risk of heart disease.
Excess sugar in your diet is an easy way to gain weight. Added sugars are simple carbohydrates that are easily digested. Sweetened beverages such as sodas and soft drinks Not as filling as solid drinks Therefore, it does not satisfy or shut down your appetite system. Because it is a food that is high in protein or fat or high in fiber.
Too much added sugar can also promote chronic inflammation and raise your blood pressure. Which in the long term increases the risk of heart disease.
How does salt affect your heart?
By salt, we mean your sodium intake. Although sodium is an essential mineral for maintaining overall health, But too much sodium can wreak havoc on not only your heart, but your body as well. Dr Tandon says 1,500 mg of sodium per day is more than enough for adults to meet their daily sodium needs. According to the Foods Safety and Standards Authority of India, your sodium intake should be less than 5 grams per day. Additionally, salt is not the only source of sodium in bread, pizza, sandwiches, cold cuts, soups, snacks, poultry, cheese, omelets and other everyday foods. have a lot of sodium
Read more: Here are eight tips formulated by leading nutritionists to reduce your salt intake.
Sodium is regulated by our kidneys. Consuming too much sodium causes the body to retain more water while maintaining normal concentrations. This leads to an increase in overall blood volume. makes the heart work harder This increases blood pressure levels and puts stress on your arteries. In the long run will lead to high blood pressure. which increases the risk of heart disease So you may feel swollen and you may have swollen feet and ankles, explains Dr. Tandon, although high salt intake increases your risk of heart disease. But low sodium intake can also cause low blood pressure.
We should keep in mind that increased sodium intake can have different effects on different individuals. Some individuals who may be ‘salt sensitive’ show elevated blood pressure readings compared to those who are not, the doctors explained.
Salt vs Sugar, which one is worse for your heart?
Too much sugar in your system can make you obese. push you to diabetes and promote cardiovascular disease All of which greatly increase your risk of heart disease. On the other hand, excess sodium can raise your blood pressure. puts you at risk for heart disease
whether you eat too much sugar or salt Both of these can increase your risk of heart disease. Whether you like salty or sweet food. You must eat in moderation. Next time you think about consuming too much salt and sugar. Think about how much you’re increasing your risk of heart disease.
The key to a healthy heart is eating a diet rich in potassium and low in sodium. Including foods like whole foods (whole grains), fruits and vegetables, may increase your risk of heart disease. Another good practice is to read labels on food items and look for extra sodium and added sugar. so that you can avoid those products Make sure you track your sodium and salt intake.
