If salt can enhance the flavor of our dishes, its effects on our blood pressure would be different depending on our gender.
Condiments like salt, pepper and spices aren’t just for adding flavor. Some of them have unsuspected benefits on our health. For example, cinnamon would improve some of our cognitive functions. While turmeric has anti-inflammatory properties.
However, this does not mean that these condiments should be consumed in large quantities. This is particularly the case for salt. Used daily in the kitchen, this flavor enhancer plays a key role in hydrating our body. But excessive consumption increases the risk of hypertension and stroke.
However, a study has just highlighted an important point of the impact of salt on our health. It would be more important, and therefore potentially more dangerous in women.
Different blood pressure because of our chromosomes
It may seem surprising but Blood pressure regulation works differently in men and women. This difference and the impact of salt on its functioning were the starting points of the study conducted by researchers from the Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University. This is by the way available in the specialist journal Hypertension.
In it, the researchers first explain that this difference in our blood pressure would originate from the XX and XY chromosomes. The XX chromosomes present in women would be more sensitive to the condiment for several reasons. First of all, when a woman is pregnant, her blood volume increases significantly. Fact, salt intake must be adapted and be more marked.
Then, these chromosomes influence estrogen production. However, these hormones present throughout the period of fertility of the woman reduce their sensitivity to salt. But as soon as they reach menopause, they then become more vulnerable to tension problems.
More frequent cases of hypertension in women due to salt
Finally, the researchers point to the presence of a hormone in large quantities in women: aldosterone. The latter has a determining role in the hydration of the body and the balance between water and salt in our organism. However, its higher rate than in men would impact blood pressure.
For researchers, this study opens the way to several avenues of reflection. Indeed, they suggest targeting this hormone directly in cases of diagnosed hypertension. But they would also like to see if a salt-free diet would positively impact women’s blood pressure.
