Salt is a common ingredient in cooking that makes food taste good. But eating too much salt can quietly harm your health. Men who are over 40 need to be especially careful about how much salt they eat because their bodies change as they age. Blood vessels become less flexible, metabolism slows down, and the risk of health problems like high blood pressure, heart disease, and kidney issues increases.
Eshanka Wahi, a nutrition expert and wellness coach, explains why salt becomes more dangerous for men after 40 and how they can reduce their salt intake to stay healthy.
Why Salt Is More Harmful After 40
As men reach their 40s, their bodies go through changes such as higher blood pressure, weaker kidneys, less muscle, and changes in water balance. These changes make men more likely to develop heart and kidney problems, especially if they eat too much salt.
A big study published in the New England Journal of Medicine looked at over 100,000 people worldwide and found that people who ate more salt had higher blood pressure than those who ate less. As men get older, their bodies cannot get rid of extra salt as well as before, so salt that didn’t cause problems at 30 can cause high blood pressure at 45.
Salt is important for nerve and fluid balance, but too much salt raises blood pressure and increases the risk of heart attacks, strokes, and kidney damage. Most salt in diets comes from processed and restaurant foods, not just the salt shaker at home.
Health experts recommend that adults eat no more than 2,300 milligrams of sodium per day, and ideally aim for 1,500 milligrams, especially if they have high blood pressure. Cutting down salt by 1,000 milligrams a day can greatly improve heart health.
Easy Tips to Reduce Salt After 40
Here are simple ways men over 40 can cut down on salt:
Read Food Labels: Check how much sodium is in packaged foods and choose low-sodium options.
Cook at Home: Make your own meals using herbs, spices, garlic, and lemon instead of salt.
Drink Plenty of Water: Water helps flush out extra salt and supports kidney health.
Choose Low-Sodium Condiments: Use low-salt versions of soy sauce, ketchup, and salad dressings or make your own.
Conclusion
Salt is important for taste and body functions, but eating too much after 40 can harm your health. Keeping salt intake low helps maintain healthy blood pressure, protects your heart, and keeps you feeling energetic. Small changes in your diet can make a big difference for your health as you age.
Read more:
- UK Food Makers Cut Salt and Sugar by Nearly One-Third
- Want Lower Blood Pressure? Try Bananas, Not Just Cutting Salt
- High Salt Intake Could Raise Depression Risk, Mouse Study Finds
