Salt is often thought to be the cause of various diseases. In fact, the benefits of salt for the health of the body are very good if it is not consumed in excess, from maintaining the function of the body's organs to preventing hypotension.
The delicious taste of food cannot be separated from the use of salt in it. However, salt consumption is often associated with hypertension, stroke, and coronary heart disease.
However, this can happen when salt is consumed in excess. If consumed in the recommended amount, you can get various benefits of salt.
Amount of Daily Salt Intake
The amount of salt intake per day needs to be adjusted according to age. The younger you are, the less salt your body needs. The following is the recommended amount of salt consumption based on age criteria:
- Infants under 1 year: less than 1 gram a day
- Children aged 1–3 years: no more than 2 grams per day or the equivalent of 0.8 grams of sodium
- Children aged 4–6 years: no more than 3 grams per day or the equivalent of 1.2 grams of sodium
- Children 7–10 years: no more than 5 grams per day or the equivalent of 2 grams of sodium
- Children 11 years and older and adults: no more than 6 grams per day or the equivalent of 1 teaspoon
- Patients with heart problems: no more than 1.5 grams per day
Benefits of Consuming Salt
Salt contains the mineral iodine, which plays an important role in keeping the body's organs functioning properly. Some of the health benefits of salt include:
1. Maintain thyroid hormone production
Lack of iodine contained in salt makes the body unable to produce thyroid hormone in sufficient quantities. Thyroid hormone deficiency can cause thyroid enlargement, constipation, fatigue, and difficulty concentrating.
2. Prevent low blood pressure
Consuming adequate amounts of salt can prevent low blood pressure or hypotension. This condition can cause symptoms such as dizziness, nausea, blurred vision, and fainting. However, always remember not to overdo your salt intake every day.
3. Maintain body fluid balance
Salt contains sodium which functions to retain fluid in the body's cells. By consuming enough salt every day, you will avoid lack of body fluids or dehydration.
4. Relieves symptoms cystic fibrosis
The level of salt and water in the patient's body cystic fibrosis will be lost more quickly through sweat. Therefore, they need more water and salt intake to prevent dehydration.
5. Maintain the function of body organs
The sodium content in salt plays a role in maintaining the function of the nerves and muscles of the body. This is also the reason why salt plays an important role in preventing disorders of the nerves and muscles.
6. Prevent brain development disorders
Iodine deficiency in salt during pregnancy can result in impaired brain development in the fetus. In addition, lack of salt intake in infants and children can also make them have a lower IQ.
The benefits of salt above will only be obtained if consumed in moderation. Excess salt consumption can actually disrupt the body's fluid balance, and increase blood pressure and the risk of heart disease.
If you want to know more about the benefits of salt and the amount of salt intake that suits your body condition and needs, don't hesitate to consult a doctor.