Showdown: Salt versus Sugar. Which is worse?
You may have heard the debates about sugar and salt. Which one is worse for your body and more important to avoid? As in most things, the key is moderation for both sugar and salt, but research shows us that sugar may be worse for our health than salt.
You may be one of the many people who find it hard to stop eating sugary or salty food. Salty pretzels and chips or sugary soda and candy can be truly hard to avoid, especially during times of celebration or stress. They’re both tempting and delicious, but they can wreak havoc with your diet. You may be craving sugar and salt for several reasons. If you’re dehydrated, you may crave salt or your muscles may also be craving salt, especially if you have had a strenuous workout. On the other hand, if you haven’t eaten in hours or are starving, you may crave sugar because your glucose (blood sugar) levels are depleted. Your body is constantly trying to regain a state of equilibrium and will send signals when its needs are not being met. The brain can crave sugar too. Sugar releases the “happy” neurotransmitter, dopamine, which causes you to feel good.
Not only have some studies shown sugar to be as addictive as cocaine, but research tells us that sugar consumption is linked to many chronic illnesses. An excess amount of sugar increases the risk of obesity. It’s also tied to diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and other health issues. The American Heart Association recommends eating no more than 24 grams (6 teaspoons) for women and 36 grams (9 teaspoons) for men per day. To put that into perspective, a 12 oz soda contains 39 grams of sugar. Kidney failure, strokes, and heart attacks are all possible results of chronically eating excess sugar.
Too much salt is usually associated with the risk of high blood pressure. If your blood pressure is too high, the risk of heart attacks and strokes increases significantly. The recommended daily allowance for sodium is 2,300 mg per day, which is only about 1 teaspoon of salt. However, the average American consumes closer to 3,500 mg of sodium per day or 1.5 times the recommended amount. An excess amount of salt may also cause fluid buildup in the body, leading to bloating, water weight, and sometimes more serious side effects.
So, which is more dangerous? Some experts believe that sugar is more dangerous because it can cause more issues and lead to more serious long-term health concerns. While sodium intake can directly affect blood pressure, excessive sugar consumption is linked to a slew of chronic diseases and illnesses. Although some believe that sugar is worse for you than salt, it’s crucial to remember that both can cause issues if you eat too much. It’s important to consume both salt and sugar in moderation and monitor your levels.
It’s important to look for hidden sources of sugar and salt. You probably don’t add extra sugar to your food all the time. The same thing may be true for salt. However, you may be getting both of them from hidden sources. Prepackaged meals and snacks tend to be filled with high levels of sugar and salt. Manufacturers add them to improve the taste and flavor, but your health is directly affected. Before you buy processed food, take time to read the label to see how much sugar and sodium is inside. Did you know that food manufacturers use 56 different names for sugar?!?!
Beverages are another common source of too much salt and sugar. Have you stopped to consider what’s inside your favorite drink? Vegetable juices such as tomato juice tend to have a lot of sodium. On the other hand, fruit juices can be loaded with sugar. Restaurant and fast food meals also have a huge amount of salt and sugar. The companies do this to make you love their food and come back for more. You may not realize how much is in the food because you can’t always get the ingredient list or see the full menu. Go ahead and ask them what’s in your food! You’ll be more informed.
Limiting your sugar and salt intake is essential for your health. However, eating too much sugar may hurt you even more than having too much salt. If you’re worried about negative health effects from the amount of sugar and salt you consume, it may be time to start paying attention to what’s in your food!
