People who can't resist sprinkling their food with salt can increase their chances of type 2 diabetes by nearly 40%, a shocking study has revealed.
Stuffing yourself with too much salt isn't just dangerous for blood pressure—scientists believe it's also linked to the risk of developing diabetes. Scientists believe that adding salt encourages you to eat more, which in turn leads to obesity and type 2 diabetes, the Mirror reported.
There are currently 4.3 million people in the UK diagnosed with diabetes, most of whom are type 2, the type of diabetes that can be caused by poor diet and being too lazy. Another 2.4 million Brits could be lining up to join the diabetic club if they're not careful. A couple of specialists from Tulane University across the ocean sifted through the UK Biobank's treasure trove of data, monitoring 400,000 people over about 12 years and watching more than 13,000 of them fall into the trap of type 2 diabetes.
Compared to those who almost never reach for the salt shaker, the odds of being diagnosed with "sometimes", "usually" or "always" jumped by 13%, 20% and a breathtaking 39%.
Dr. Lu Qi, who led a team at Tulane University School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, said: "We already know that salt restriction can reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease and hypertension, but this study shows for the first time , that removing salt from the table can also help prevent type 2 diabetes."
The study linked habitual salt intake to increased body mass index and a larger waist-to-hip ratio. Professor Qi argues that the underlying problem is not salt itself, but rather that it encourages people to consume larger amounts of food, which then paves the way for obesity and inflammation. | BGNES
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