Bangkok: In today's era of abundant information shared online, health-related topics are frequently discussed. One such topic is "saltiness," or sodium consumption, which is accompanied by both accurate beliefs and misinformation that can potentially harm the body.
According to Thai News Agency, this article will take you on a deep dive to examine five popular issues related to salty eating, determining which claims are true and safe to share, and which are false claims that should be stopped.
1. Is drinking salt water every morning beneficial to the body? Fact-checked with Thanit Winitchakool from the Institute of Nutrition, Mahidol University, the claim that drinking salt water every morning has many benefits is untrue and should not be followed. Most people already consume about twice the recommended daily amount of sodium from their diet. Drinking extra salt water in the morning increases the risk of sodium overdose, which can be harmful to health.
2. How reliable are food salinity meters? Fact-checked with Assoc. Prof. Dr. Surasak Kantachuwesiri, President of the Thai Society of Nephrology, the information regarding portable food salinity meters is true. These devices measure sodium concentration in liquid foods with approximately 90% accuracy. A reading above 0.9% indicates excessive salt content and a risk of non-communicable diseases, while a reading below 0.7% is considered safe.
3. Kidney disease is not caused by eating salty foods. Is this true? Messages claiming that kidney disease is not caused by excessive salt consumption are false. Regularly consuming a salty diet leads to high blood salt levels and high blood pressure. This condition can cause damage to the kidneys, becoming a major cause of chronic kidney disease and eventually kidney failure.
4. Are "low-sodium" seasonings good for kidney patients? For kidney patients, the information that low-sodium seasonings are safe is false and dangerous. These seasonings often contain added potassium, which kidney patients cannot excrete effectively. This can lead to a buildup of potassium in the body, causing serious consequences like irregular heartbeat or cardiac arrest.
5. Can carbonated water mixed with salt help cure diarrhea? Is this true? The belief that soda with salt can cure diarrhea is false. While it may temporarily alleviate dehydration and electrolyte imbalance in emergencies, soda mixed with salt lacks essential minerals like potassium. Medically approved oral rehydration solutions are the best and safest option for treating diarrhea.
In summary, health information directly impacts our bodies. Before believing and sharing any information about diet or disease treatment, verifying the facts ensures good health and protection from misinformation online.
Fact checked by: Peerapol Anutrotsothi and Akkarawut Tuwachirakul. Article reviewed by: Chayanit Phongsai.