New Delhi, Feb. 15 -- Salt is a basic part of everyday cooking. From dal to sabzi, pickles to snacks, it enhances flavour instantly. But while it may make food taste better, too much salt can quietly harm your heart. Many people do not realise that high sodium intake is strongly linked to high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, and even kidney damage. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), adults should consume less than 5 grams of salt per day. However, the average Indian consumes nearly 8-10 grams daily, almost double the recommended amount.

Dr Priya Palimkar, Senior Consultant - Cardiology at Sahyadri Super Speciality Hospital, tells Health Shots that reducing salt is one of the simplest yet most powerful ways to protec...