After eating salty food, our body demands – and this is quite normal – to drink. However, rather than having a glass of water, some people accompany a snack (such as chips) or a salty meal (such as industrial pizza or fries) with another type of drink. A bad idea, according to two cardiologists interviewed by the magazine
Parade.
Drinking a sugary drink is a bad idea
According to them, this popular combination would be one of the most aggressive for the heart, especially in the hour following a salty meal. Indeed, according to Dr. Joyce Oen-Hsiao, cardiologist at Yale Medicine, this is a mistake that should definitely not be made.
“After eating salty foods, you need to help the body eliminate the salt. And it’s definitely not by drinking a sugary drink, but by drinking water.” she insists.
For what ? Quite simply because sugar causes a surge of insulin, which will accentuate the sodium retention already caused by salt. “It’s a double punishment for the arteries” warns Dr. Marschall Runge, cardiologist and dean of the University of Michigan Medical School.
A combination harmful to the heart, confirms our dietitian
When questioned, dietitian Alexandra Retion also confirms this information. “This type of diet, like the very salty dishes at McDonald’s, rich in fat and poor in nutrients, has a direct impact on health. And if you add a soda, you add a good dose of sugar, which is catastrophic for the heart.”
Sugar, like salt, acts on key parameters: sugar increases blood sugar levels, salt increases blood pressure. “It is precisely this combination that is particularly harmful.”
she adds.
What’s really happening in your body with this duo
Dr. Runge details the process: “Drinking a soda or any other sugary drink triggers an insulin response which further promotes sodium retention, which increases vascular pressure.. Result: blood pressure rises, vessel walls suffer and the risk of hypertension explodes, particularly in people predisposed to or suffering from prediabetes.
But that’s not all. The combined effect of salt and sugar causes increased inflammation and damages the endothelium, the thin layer of cells that lines the inside of arteries.
“Salt causes water to be retained, increasing blood volume. Sugar makes this phenomenon worse. Together, they greatly increase vascular stress” summarizes Dr Runge.
An opinion shared by Alexandra Retion. “Take sports drinks: a little bit of salt is added to make them isotonic, to help the carbohydrates penetrate the cells. But here, we are talking about a massive excess of salt and sugar, which creates a harmful cocktail. This type of association promotes the development of cardiovascular, metabolic and even inflammatory diseases such as diabetes.
Reflexes to adopt after a meal that is too salty
Fortunately, there are simple and effective actions to counterbalance the harmful effects of a salty meal. The two cardiologists recommend in particular:
- Drink two to three glasses of water. “Water supports kidney function and helps flush out excess sodium” explains Dr. Oen-Hsiao. If you tire of water, add lemon or cucumber;
- Consume foods rich in potassium. “Potassium counteracts the effect of sodium and helps relax blood vessels” emphasizes Dr. Runge. Opt for a banana, sweet potato or avocado;
- Walk 15 to 20 minutes. A walk after a meal stimulates circulation and regulates blood sugar, facilitating the elimination of salt;
- Avoid caffeinated drinkssuch as iced teas or caffeinated sodas, which can increase dehydration.