We used to think that salt is dangerous primarily because it increases blood pressure. However, a recent large-scale analysis conducted by scientists from Poland and Australia showed that this is just the tip of the iceberg. It turns out that excess salt directly damages our blood vessels, even if your blood pressure meter shows ideal numbers.
A review article published in the authoritative journal Nutrients.
Imagine that salt is not just an accomplice, but an independent criminal, operating in three main directions:
1. Direct attack on the “inner lining” of the vessels. From the inside, our arteries are covered with the thinnest protective layer, similar to a Teflon coating. Salt literally peels off this layer, making the walls of the vessels hard and sticky. They lose elasticity, and cholesterol and other cells begin to easily cling to them.
2. Gut Imbalance. Our food affects the trillions of bacteria that live in our gut. Excess salt kills the beneficial microorganisms, which leads to the production of substances that cause chronic inflammation throughout the body, especially hitting the blood vessels.
3. Reprogramming the immune system. The most insidious mechanism: salt makes our own immune system work against us. It stimulates the bone marrow to produce overly aggressive immune cells. These “soldiers” enter the bloodstream and, instead of protecting the body, they themselves participate in the formation of atherosclerotic plaques.
Together, these processes create the perfect conditions for the development of atherosclerosis, a dangerous condition in which blood vessels become clogged with plaque. And all this can happen secretly, without any symptoms in the form of high blood pressure.
What does this mean for us? The authors of the study emphasize: excessive salt intake is one of the key, but greatly underestimated, risk factors for heart attack and stroke. Fortunately, the solution is in our hands. Following the WHO recommendation of no more than one teaspoon (5 grams) of salt per day and consciously avoiding products with hidden salt (fast food, sausages, canned goods) can be your best contribution to heart and vascular health.
