Eating too much salt is a risk factor for gastric cancer

There are many causes of gastric cancer, but an important factor that is often overlooked is a high-salt diet. Studies have shown that excessive salt intake is one of the main risk factors for gastric cancer.

The mechanism of inducing gastric cancer may be as follows:

1. Damage to gastric mucosa: Long-term excessive intake of salt will cause a higher osmotic pressure between gastric mucosal cells and the outside world, which can lead to direct damage to the gastric mucosa and a series of pathological changes such as extensive diffuse congestion, edema, erosion, ulcer, necrosis, and bleeding. Any lesion will put gastric mucosal cells at risk of cancer.

2. Promote the synthesis of nitrite: A large part of the salty food we consume contains nitrate, which can be converted into nitrite in the stomach. Nitrite is extremely carcinogenic and is a risk factor for gastric cancer.

3. Inhibit the synthesis of prostaglandin E: Excessive salt intake will also reduce gastric acid secretion, thereby inhibiting the synthesis of prostaglandin E. The function of prostaglandin E is to protect cells and enhance the defense ability of gastric mucosa. If the synthesis is reduced, the gastric mucosa will be easily attacked by other factors, causing gastric lesions and increasing the risk of gastric cancer.

In view of the above reasons, salt intake should be strictly controlled in daily life, high-salt diet should be avoided, and light food is the guarantee of health.