Sodium has an important role that is needed by the body as an essential nutrient for various physiological mechanisms such as ensuring the balance of body fluids and also plays a role in regulating muscle and nerve function. Excess or deficiency of sodium poses a risk of causing health problems. Excess sodium can lead to various degenerative diseases such as hypertension, stroke, heart failure, diabetes, and others. If there is a deficiency, then the effects are impaired muscle and nerve function, impaired blood sugar control, impaired control of body fluids, and impaired absorption of nutritional intake. So, how should you balance and control your salt intake?
PT AJINOMOTO INDONESIA (Ajinomoto) in collaboration with INAVIGA INDONESIA held a Webinar: "Beware of the Bad Impact of Hypertension & Improve Mental Health", as an effort to support Indonesian people to stay healthy by disseminating informative facts about Umami Seasoning such as Monosodium Glutamate (MSG).
This webinar presents dr. Indra K. Muhtadi (Medical Doctor & Health Motivational Speaker) as resource person. According to him, salt is actually important for the body. The body still needs salt every day. However, if consumed in excess it can cause degenerative diseases such as hypertension, to heart and stroke.
“Welcoming World Heart Day, this webinar is fit the moment to convey the adverse effects of hypertension degenerative disease, which is the outcome of the emergence of heart disease. Actually there are many ways to reduce the risk of hypertension, ranging from living a healthy lifestyle with a balanced intake of nutritious foods, exercising regularly, avoiding smoking and drinking alcohol, to a quite complex one by running the DASH Diet (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension). However, what is simple and quite easy to do is to reduce salt intake or a low-salt diet, as one of the essential efforts to reduce the risk of hypertension,” said dr. Indra when delivering material at the webinar session.
“Actually there is an easy solution that can be applied as an effort to reduce salt intake. When food has been given MSG, we should reduce salt. Because, the sodium content in MSG is only 1/3 of the sodium content in ordinary table salt. So, our sodium (salt) intake is reduced, but our food tastes good. Actually, there have been many studies and scientific journals abroad that state this,” he continued.
Agree with dr. Indra, Katarina Larasati – Public Relations Manager of PT AJINOMOTO INDONESIA, said that currently Ajinomoto is promoting the Smart Salt campaign which is in line with the recommendation of the Indonesian Ministry of Health regarding reducing the intake of Sugar, Salt, Fat (GGL) in daily consumption.
"Through Smart Salt campaign, which we are activating, Ajinomoto wants to educate the public about the importance of a low-salt diet and invite Indonesian families to live healthier lives by reducing the intake or use of salt in food processing, but still being able to get a high taste by adding sources of umami. like MSG. This campaign is also a testament to our commitment to continue to make a positive contribution to society, by improving the welfare and health of Indonesian families through high quality products and services. To view the details of the Bijak Garam menu, it can be accessed through our Dapur Umami website: https://www.dapurumami.com/page/bijak-garam," said Katarina.
Meanwhile, the second speaker in this webinar, a child and family psychologist, Irma Gustiana M.Psi explained the importance of maintaining mental health in order to control stress levels and avoid various diseases.
"Actually, basically, all emotion clusters, whether positive or negative, are natural for everyone, but in some cases negative emotions are felt more, especially among children and teenagers. For that we are expected to be able to control emotions so as not to become a weak person. One of them, by being a happy person, must be physically and psychologically healthy,” said Irma.
“Some teenagers have their own way of controlling their emotions which unfortunately can have a negative impact on health, for example by venting it by eating foods that are high in fat, sugar and salt. This can actually trigger degenerative diseases at a young age, such as hypertension,” she continued.
Through this webinar, Ajinomoto hopes that the material presented can be accepted by Indonesian families. Ajinomoto believes that a family that grows up happy and healthy will become a strong nation. PT AJINOMOTO INDONESIA is committed to continuing to make a positive contribution to society, by improving the welfare and health of Indonesian families through high quality products and services that focus on delicacy and health.