No matter how many spices, herbs, or delicious condiments you put into a dish, some people just can’t get enough salt! They’ll keep the saltshaker next to their plate, adding more with every bite. But is this constant dash of salt good for their health?
It’s a bit funny when you think about it – your body craving salt like that. But surprisingly, it’s more common than you might think, and for some, it’s a tough habit to break!
Unfortunately, this craving for salt can spell trouble for your health, leading to gastric cancer, and heart disease leading to strokes.
Dishes need extra salt
For Inam Nopanjwa from Philippi, Cape Town, adding salt to her food is a daily habit, something that makes her meals more enjoyable. She explains that her favourite dishes usually include meat or soup, which makes it easy for her to add extra salt.
“I even remember a dish my granny used to make in the Eastern Cape called umxhaxha. She suggested I add sugar, but since I prefer salty flavours, I added salt instead. To me, it tasted much better that way.”
Inam Nopanjwa
Nopanjwa adds, “A small amount of salt just doesn’t cut it for me – I like my food salty! But I always make sure to drink plenty of water afterwards to help flush the salt out.”
Always adding more
Mpho Nene from KwaNdebele in Mpumalanga says that even her husband reprimands her for adding salt to her plate, especially raw salt.
Nene explains that at that moment, she doesn’t think about the potential health problems that salt can cause as long as she feels satisfied.
“For me, I can actually feel raw salt on my tongue more than the cooked one.”
Mpho Nene
Nene says she loves fried fish because it allows her to add as much salt as she wants. “After I dip my fish in the oil and seasonings, I still have to add salt even after frying,” she admits.
READ NEXT: Crowning glory: Dr Kuda untangles the science of healthy hair
Understanding the risks
Dr Inga Mgaleli, who manages the #Keready clinics in the Sedibeng and Ekurhuleni regions of Gauteng, says a diet high in salt and preservatives has been associated with a higher risk of developing gastric cancer.
She explains that excessive levels of salt consumption are already known to be a risk factor for diseases of lifestyle, such as hypertension. However, various studies conducted in the UK and USA have demonstrated an association between high salt consumption and the development of gastric cancer.
“The stomach is a muscle that consists of a lining that helps with digestion and protects the stomach. This stomach lining produces acids and enzymes that break down food during digestion,” Mgaleli says.
She emphasises that there needs to be a perfect balance of chemicals, and anything that disrupts this process can pose a potential risk of developing health issues.
“One study suggests two mechanisms that can contribute to the risk of developing gastric cancer from high intake.”
“First, high salt intake irritates and disrupts the stomach lining, promoting chemical gastric carcinogenesis, which is the development of cancerous cells due to changes in the stomach lining.”
Dr Inga Mgaleli
“Second, excess salt in the stomach may promote Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) colonisation, which is a known risk factor for gastric cancer.”
Mgaleli explains that according to the World Health Organisation, the recommended limit for salt intake is 2g a day. She notes that dietary salt includes table salt, as well as salt consumed through spices, sauces, pickled foods, and processed foods.
Recognising deficiencies and cravings
“Therefore, it is also important to limit the intake of processed meats and foods in addition to limiting salt intake.
“Remember, salt also helps with balancing fluids and electrolytes in the body. Therefore, drinking enough water also goes a long way in balancing one’s salt intake.”
Mgaleli notes that typically, salt cravings are a manifestation of a deficiency or possibly an underlying medical condition.
“It may indicate an imbalance of minerals such as calcium and magnesium in the blood. It can also indicate a medical condition such as Addison’s Disease, which results from an imbalance in some hormones that are important for regulating sodium levels in the blood,” she explains.
Furthermore, Mgaleli says that the use of certain medications, such as diuretics, can induce sodium depletion, which may manifest as acute salt cravings. Lastly, it can simply reflect changes in taste preferences.
ALSO READ: Mastering makeup: Flawless finish, healthy skin
Get the Health For Mzansi newsletter: Your bi-weekly dose of kasi health, wellness and self-care inspiration.
