DIABETES AND THE SALT TRAP

Diabetics at an increased risk of developing hypertension that may add to long-term issues, making it essential to watch salt intake: experts

For people with diabetes, staying healthy requires more than just blood sugar control. Careful diet choices, especially reducing salt intake, are crucial because excess salt can worsen complications and increase health risks, say healthcare experts.

According to Dr. Praveen Kumar Kulkarni, Senior Consultant Internal Medicine Specialist, KIMS Hospitals, one of the primary concerns with excessive salt consumption for people with diabetes is its impact on blood pressure.

"Diabetes already places individuals at an increased risk of developing high blood pressure (hypertension), a condition that exacerbates the long-term complications of the disease. Salt causes the body to retain water, which can raise blood pressure by increasing the volume of blood circulating through the blood vessels. Over time, this added strain on the cardiovascular system can lead to more severe health problems," said Dr. Praveen Kumar Kulkarni.

"Hypertension is a common and serious complication of diabetes. It heightens the risk of heart disease, stroke, and kidney damage, all of which are already elevated for individuals with diabetes," he added.