The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) elaborates on the dangers of consuming too much salt in its latest guidelines, pointing out that since all types of salt have roughly the same amount of sodium, consumption of them should be regulated.

Rock salts contain more minerals including potassium, calcium, magnesium, iron, and manganese than table salt, because of which they are regarded as healthier than table salt. Pink salt is known as sentha namak, whereas black salt is known as kala namak. In contrast to white salt, which is processed, rock salt is found in its pure crystalline form. Salt intake as per ICMR should not exceed more than 5 grams per day.

ICMR
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Impact of High Sodium Intake on Health

"Pink and black salts can be easily distinguished by their colour, texture and smell. Pink salt is one of the purest forms of salt. Black salt upon storage grows darker. Assorted spices, charcoal, seeds, and tree bark are used in the preservation of this salt. Therefore, irrespective of the variety of salt, their consumption should be limited as the sodium content in them is almost similar," read ICMR guidelines.

An increased consumption of sodium can hurt our bone health by decreasing its density. This is because higher salt levels have been linked to increased calcium excretion, elevated blood pressure, and an increased risk of heart disease, according to the ICMR. Overindulging in salt can potentially harm the intestinal flora and cause stomach cancer.

ICMR Guidelines on Sodium Consumption

"Existing evidence reveals a deleterious impact of high salt intake on blood vessels, blood pressure, bones and gastrointestinal tract. There is a strong association between salt intake and blood pressure," says ICMR.

Consuming too much salt can raise blood pressure in addition to harming the mucosa of the stomach and raising the risk of gastritis, atrophy, and gastric cancer. According to the leading medical research organization, those who eat less than 3 grams of salt daily may have a lower prevalence of hypertension. Early adoption of low-salt diets might also help limit the age-related rise in blood pressure.

Additionally, according to ICMR, meals high in potassium, such as fruits and vegetables that are still in season, can help lower blood pressure by aiding in the excretion of salt. "Restriction of dietary salt decreases the risk of hypertension," as per ICMR, advising that processed and preserved foods such as snack foods, sauces, ketchups, biscuits, chips, cheese, and salt fish should consumed less.

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