Too much salt can weaken the immune system, finds study

If you’ve been trying to eat up to strengthen your immune system, here’s one thing that you would probably benefit more by eating less.

Researchers have found that the amount of salt you eat can impact your immunity. Publishing in the journal Circulation, the team found that a high intake of salt can disrupt mitochondrial respiration and suppress immunity.

Sodium can accumulate at inflammation sites in the body and affect the functioning of innate and adaptive immune cells, found the team. So, the less you reach for the salt shaker, the better it is for your health. In fact, salt also raises blood pressure and thereby increases the risk of heart attack or stroke.

So how much is too much? According to researchers from the study, ‘adults are recommended to limit their daily intake to five or six grams at most. The calculation includes the salt that is hidden in processed foods.’