Salt Makes Us Old

Author: Karen Lennox Time for reading: ~1 minutes Last Updated: August 08, 2022

Along with all the potential health risks, such as high blood pressure, osteoporosis, impaired kidney function, salt also contributes to faster aging.

Along with all the potential health risks, such as high blood pressure, osteoporosis , impaired kidney function , salt also contributes to faster aging .

Researchers at Georgia Medical College, part of the Gerorgia Regents University in Australia, found that chromosome telomeres were shorter in adolescents who were obese and overweight . This group of teenagers also consume large amounts of salt compared to their peers, whose diet includes less salt. The shorter length of telomeres is a prerequisite for cell aging .

For the purpose of the study, 766 children aged 14-18 took part. They are divided into two groups according to the amount of sodium ingested - those who consume more and those whose diet is poorer in salt.

Teenagers consuming less sodium consumed an average of 2,388 mg of salt per day, while the rest - 4,142 mg. Participants in both groups consumed more than the recommended amount of salt - 1,500 mg, which is approximately 2/3 teaspoon.

After taking into account other factors responsible for shortening telomeres, the researchers found that in teens who are overweight and obese , telomeres are significantly shorter when salt intake is higher. In comparison, there was no significant change in telomere length in middle-aged adolescents.

Obesity is associated with high levels of inflammation, which also accelerates telomere shortening.

The data from the study were presented during a scientific meeting in San Francisco.

Salt Makes Us Old

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