What are the consequences of consuming salt during a fasting period?
Nov 08, 2023
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Zhu Xuping
Introduction
In general, consuming salt during a fasting period may lead to water retention, electrolyte imbalance, elevated blood pressure, gastrointestinal discomfort, and increased burden on the kidneys. In addition, it may also result in decreased kidney function and gastritis. It is recommended that individuals maintain a diverse diet in daily life to ensure balanced nutrition, which is beneficial for overall health.
In general, consuming salt during a fasting period may lead to water retention, electrolyte imbalance, elevated blood pressure, gastrointestinal discomfort, and increased kidney burden. The specific analysis is as follows:
1. Water Retention
Salt has hygroscopic properties. If consumed during fasting, it may cause the body to retain water, leading to increased body weight and fat accumulation. Therefore, salt intake should be avoided during fasting.
2. Electrolyte Imbalance
Salt intake should be avoided during fasting. Salt is an important substance for maintaining the body's electrolyte balance, including sodium and potassium. During fasting, due to insufficient food intake, the body may already experience electrolyte imbalances. Consuming salt at this time could further exacerbate this imbalance, affecting normal physiological functions.
3. Elevated Blood Pressure
Salt is one of the main risk factors for high blood pressure. During fasting, blood pressure may naturally decrease due to reduced food intake. Consuming salt at this stage may cause blood pressure to rise, increasing the risk of cardiovascular diseases. Therefore, individuals should avoid salt during fasting to prevent hypertension.
4. Gastrointestinal Discomfort
Consuming salty foods during fasting may stimulate excessive gastric acid secretion, irritating the gastric mucosa and causing gastrointestinal discomfort. Since gastrointestinal function may already be weakened during fasting, salt intake could worsen these symptoms. Hence, salt consumption should be minimized during fasting.
5. Increased Kidney Burden
Salt is a major contributor to increased kidney workload, as approximately 95% of dietary salt is metabolized by the kidneys. Particularly during fasting, when inadequate food intake may already affect normal kidney function, sudden excessive salt consumption can further increase the kidneys' burden, potentially leading to impaired renal function.
In addition, consuming salt during fasting may also contribute to conditions such as reduced kidney function or gastritis. It is recommended that individuals maintain a diverse diet in daily life to ensure balanced nutrition and promote overall health.
