Dietary salt and sugar consumption linked to increased health risks

Health experts are highlighting the risks associated with high salt and sugar consumption. In Vietnam, average daily salt intake remains at 8.07g, which is 1.6 times higher than the World Health Organization's recommendation of less than 5g per day. Associate Professor Truong Tuyet Mai from the National Institute of Nutrition warns that excessive sodium intake can lead to water retention, increased blood pressure, and higher risks of cardiovascular disease, kidney failure, and stomach cancer.

Separately, a study involving over 112,000 adults in the United States, published in Gastro Hep Advances, has identified a link between sugar-sweetened beverages and stomach cancer. The research suggests that individuals consuming at least one serving of sugary drinks daily have approximately 2.45 times the risk of developing stomach cancer compared to those consuming less than one serving per month. Among women in the study, the risk increased to approximately 3.04 times. While researchers note this is an observational study and does not prove direct causation, they suggest potential mechanisms such as weight gain, insulin resistance, and inflammation.