A condiment that most of us use daily may be responsible for a 40% increased risk of developing stomach cancer. This is according to a new study conducted by nutritionists at the University of Vienna’s Centre for Public Health. Read more below to find out what this everyday condiment is and the potential damage it can cause.
The Condiment Study
The nutritionists found that individuals in the United Kingdom who added salt to the majority of their meals had a 41% greater chance of developing stomach cancer. This was when compared to individuals who used it sparingly. Studies previously undertaken in Japan, Korea, and China had already established the connections between a salt-heavy diet and stomach cancer. However, this was the first study to establish such a link in the Western diet.
The Link Between Salt and Stomach Cancer
While the study conducted in Austria was observational, the older studies revealed that a slat-heavy diet erodes the stomach’s protective coating, which causes damage to the tissue, resulting in cancerous mutations. However, the Austrian study’s research has shown that this link exists in Western countries as well. The amount of salt you are actually meant to eat per day may actually shock you. According to the recommendations of the FDA, you shouldn’t consume more than 2,300 mg of sodium per day. That’s around the equivalent of a single teaspoon.
How Much Salt the Average American Consumes
As you may have guessed, the average American consumes far more than the recommended daily amount of salt. This is partly due to the fact that many food products contain far more salt than people may realize. For instance, a single tin of chicken noodle soup from Campbells contains around 890 mg of salt. To make matters worse, people tend to add even more salt to these items! This means that the average individual in the United States consumes about 3,400 mg of salt every day!
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Further Findings
The researchers noted that adding a little salt for taste every now and then may not be so bad, but overdoing it regularly could prove to be harmful. To reach these results, the researchers from the University of Vienna studied a database of 471,144 individuals in the United Kingdom known as the UK Biobank. They discovered that over an 11-year period, heavy salt users were 41% more likely to be diagnosed with stomach cancer than those who occasionally added salt to their food.
Other Variables
This result remained true even when they accounted for age, socioeconomic position, and other lifestyle factors such as tobacco and alcohol use. The American Cancer Society states that drinking alcohol and smoking cigarettes dramatically increase the probability of developing stomach cancer. It is estimated that there will be 26,890 new cases diagnosed in the States in 2024 alone. Furthermore, out of those, around 10,880 people will end up dying.
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Chances of Surviving Stomach Cancer
If caught early enough, one’s chances of surviving stomach cancer are pretty high. According to the NIH, if caught early enough, there is 75% more chance of surviving than someone who has had it for five years. However, if it has spread, that chance drops substantially to only 35%. Even worse, because many of its symptoms are easy to overlook, this condition has the potential to worsen before you even notice it. This is because early symptoms are often the same as you would experience after eating a particularly rich or spicy dinner. For example, you may experience indigestion, upset stomach, and bloating.
The Symptoms of Stomach Cancer
As we mentioned, early symptoms are often indistinguishable from the effects of eating a rich meal. However, as the disease progresses, people often experience unexplained weight loss, nausea, vomiting, or feeling full after eating small amounts. Some individuals may notice blood in their stool or black stools, which can indicate bleeding. Fatigue and a feeling of weakness are also common as the body struggles to absorb nutrients. If any of these symptoms persist, it’s important that you see your doctor for a proper evaluation.
The Bottom Line
This study’s findings serve as a reminder to be mindful of our salt intake, even with foods we consider harmless. While salt is a staple in many diets, overconsumption has serious health consequences, including an increased risk of stomach cancer. Stomach cancer is one of the more difficult cancers to detect early due to its subtle early symptoms. Therefore, it’s crucial to maintain a balanced diet and stay within the recommended guidelines for sodium. By making small dietary changes, we can significantly reduce our chances of developing this potentially life-threatening condition. It’s all about moderation and taking dinner and life with just a pinch of salt!’
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