New Delhi: Many people prefer adding a little extra salt to their food, believing that a meal without enough salt lacks flavor. However, the habit of consuming excess salt daily is far more serious and concerning than most people realize. Dr. Venkat Subramaniam, Senior Urologist and Executive Director at AINU Hospital, Chennai, explains how high salt intake can damage your kidneys.
According to Dr. Subramaniam, many individuals don’t pay attention to how much salt they consume each day. Over time, this can lead to severe kidney-related problems such as kidney stones, high blood pressure, and even impaired kidney function. Those already at risk of kidney failure should be especially cautious about their salt consumption.
The doctor emphasizes that even a small change in daily cooking habits can make a big difference. You don’t need excessive salt to make your food tasty. Instead, ingredients like lemon, black pepper, and garlic can naturally enhance the flavor of your dishes. These not only enrich taste and aroma but also help reduce dependence on excessive salt — a simple yet highly effective approach.
Dr. Subramaniam further advises being mindful of the hidden salt present in packaged and processed foods. Even if you use minimal salt while cooking, processed foods can significantly increase your total sodium intake. Therefore, always check food labels and, whenever possible, choose fresh foods over packaged ones.
