Medical experts on Sunday warned Nigerians against high salt consumption, saying that it is dangerous to health.

One of the experts, Ihuoma Eugene, said excessive salt intake raises high blood pressure, which may lead to stroke, heart failure and heart attacks.

”A high salt diet can damage the lining of the stomach, causing inflammation of the stomach and thereby increasing the risk of stomach cancer and ulcer,” she said.

Ms Eugene said a small amount of salt is essential for health, noting that adults need less than one gram per day and children need even less.

She called on parents to control the salt intake of their children as “it is dangerous for both adults and children’’.

“Diabetics, asthmatic patients, as well as people battling with unstable blood pressure should learn to consume less salt to not aggravate any disease,” she said.

Ernest Okocha, a dermatologist in Anambra, urged that too much salt intake in the body could lead to frequent urination.

“Eating too much refined salt can result in hypernatremia disease that can cause water to leach out of your cells and into your blood in an attempt to dilute the excess sodium.

“And when hypernatremia disease occurs, and it’s left untreated, it can result in confusion or uncertainty and even untimely death,” he added.

Emmanuel Judon, a surgeon at the National Hospital, Abuja, advised that too much salt consumption could lead to stomach cancer.

Mr Judon said too much sodium chloride in the body could lead to intense thirst, which could cause someone to have a dry mouth or feel very thirsty.

“Too much consumption of salt can lead to water retention in the body, which can result in swollen feet, ankle, hand and swollen face, which is abnormal in the body system,” he said.

He also urged that it is required of someone to constantly check their salt levels to avoid getting infected with any of the diseases. 

(NAN)