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Salt: The Heart's Unseen Enemy Revealed
11 May
Summary
- Adding extra salt to food silently strains the heart.
- Excess sodium causes the body to retain water, raising blood pressure.
- Daily high salt intake in India comes from multiple sources.

The seemingly harmless habit of adding extra salt to food is quietly putting significant pressure on the heart. This everyday action can gradually increase blood pressure and strain the cardiovascular system. When the body retains excess sodium, it holds onto extra fluid, forcing the heart to work harder to pump blood throughout the body.
Over time, this continuous strain can lead to hardened arteries, damaged blood vessels, and a weakened heart muscle. The insidious nature of this issue lies in its gradual development; initial damage often goes unnoticed until serious health complications arise. In India, salt intake is further amplified by a variety of sources, including home-cooked meals, packaged snacks, pickles, chutneys, and instant food items, alongside added table salt.