"Almost every day, I eat pickled vegetables, and in winter, pickled turnips and cabbage are added to the menu for the whole week. If we don't finish them, I braise them with meat and fish, adding plenty of soy sauce for a rich flavor," Mr. Minh, from Hanoi, said, adding that salt is a familiar seasoning that has shaped his family's taste for generations.

10 years ago, he was diagnosed with diabetes and high blood pressure. His doctor warned him about the risk of stroke and advised him to reduce his salt intake. However, he only followed a low-sodium diet for a short period. Later, when his health indicators stabilized thanks to medication, he resumed his salty eating habits. Last September, he experienced prolonged fatigue and loss of appetite. He went to the University Medical Center for a check-up and was diagnosed with kidney failure, requiring regular dialysis.

His doctor explained that years of consuming salty foods like dried fish, braised fish in fish sauce, and pickled vegetables put tremendous strain on his kidneys. The consistently high salt intake forced his kidneys to overwork to eliminate the excess, directly increasing his blood pressure and gradually damaging the delicate blood-filtering units.

"Sadly, many people don't realize that their traditional tastes, their familiar meals, are silently damaging their health until it's too late," the doctor said.

In another case, a 30-year-old man receiving treatment at the Nephrology-Urology and Dialysis Center of Bach Mai Hospital said he was diagnosed with end-stage renal disease 5 years ago. The diagnosis surprised him as he had previously been perfectly healthy. However, he admitted to neglecting his health, eating hastily, and consuming a lot of processed foods, which are often high in salt, not only for flavor enhancement but also for preservation.

Fast food and processed foods are high in salt and sodium. Photo: Bao Bao

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) affects nearly 850 million people worldwide and is the third fastest-growing cause of death globally. In Vietnam, over 10 million people, or 10.1% of the population, suffer from the disease. Mortality due to CKD ranks 8th among the top 10 causes of death in the country.

More worryingly, there is a clear trend of CKD affecting younger people. In the first three months of 2024, the Hemodialysis Department of Cho Ray Hospital in Ho Chi Minh City admitted 450 patients for regular dialysis, nearly 60 of whom were under 35 years old, accounting for 15%. Most of these younger patients were diagnosed in the late stages of the disease.

At the Nephrology and Dialysis Department of Binh Dan Hospital in Ho Chi Minh City, about one-third of the patients at the nephrology clinic are under 40. At the Nephrology-Urology Department of Duc Giang General Hospital in Hanoi, doctors reported that in the last 5 years, the proportion of young patients with end-stage CKD requiring regular dialysis has increased by about 5-10%.

According to Dr. Ngo Thi Kim Oanh from the University of Medicine and Pharmacy Hospital in Ho Chi Minh City, a long-term habit of consuming excessive salt is one of the leading risk factors for glomerular damage. When sodium intake exceeds the limit, the kidneys are forced to work harder to eliminate the excess salt. This process increases the filtration pressure in the glomeruli, activating complex endocrine systems, leading to high blood pressure and promoting fibrosis, ultimately causing the kidneys to lose function.

The problem is that many people are unaware of the "hidden" sodium in processed foods like instant noodles, sauces, canned goods, and fast food. Chronically consuming too much sodium not only increases blood pressure but also increases protein excretion in urine, one of the earliest signs of kidney damage.

Many people mistakenly believe that salt only harms the kidneys, but according to Dr. Tran Duc Canh, Deputy Head of the Endoscopy and Functional Exploration Department at K Hospital, its impact is systemic. A high-salt diet forces the body to retain water to balance salt concentration, increasing circulatory volume and putting tremendous strain on the heart, leading to the risk of heart failure, heart attack, and stroke. It also increases the risk of kidney stones due to increased calcium excretion in urine, affects the brain by reducing blood flow and cognitive function, and causes osteoporosis and damage to the stomach lining.

Vietnamese people often have a habit of eating "rich" food with various dipping sauces. Illustration photo: Bui Thuy

Despite efforts, the salty eating habits of Vietnamese people remain alarming. A national survey conducted by the Ministry of Health and the World Health Organization (WHO) revealed that by 2021, the average sodium consumption of Vietnamese people was 3,360 mg/day (equivalent to 8.4 grams of salt). This figure, although lower than 5 years prior, is still nearly 70% higher than the WHO's recommendation of less than 2,000 mg of sodium (5 grams of salt) per day.

Furthermore, the 2020 National Nutrition Survey indicated that Vietnamese people only consume about 70% of the recommended amount of fruits and vegetables while overconsuming instant noodles and seasonings high in salt. The boom in fast food, especially among young people, exacerbates the problem. Fast food consumption in Vietnam is on the rise, according to the Ministry of Health. A study of 467 people aged 19-39 in Ho Chi Minh City found that 47% of participants regularly consumed fast food. This rate is higher among men and adolescents (16-24 years old); 47% stayed in fast food restaurants for more than 60 minutes.

"Fast food and pre-packaged processed foods are often high in sugar, fat, and sodium, increasing the risk of high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, cancer, and other non-communicable diseases," the Ministry of Health warned.

To reduce the risk of kidney damage from diet, Dr. Canh recommends limiting excessive use of fish sauce, soy sauce, and seasoning powder. Prioritize a low-sodium diet, use less seasoning, and use lemon or vinegar to enhance flavor. Avoid processed foods such as instant noodles, sausages, canned goods, and snacks. Read nutrition labels carefully and choose "low sodium" products.

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