Knowing Moderation in Consumption — A Teaching of All Buddhas (#02)

Knowing Moderation in Consumption — A Teaching of All Buddhas (#02): The Salty Truth About Blood Pressure and Kidney Health (AI GENERATED)

Among the timeless teachings of the Buddha, few are as practically relevant today as this:
“การรู้ประมาณในการบริโภค เป็นคำสอนของพระพุทธเจ้าทั้งหลาย”
“Knowing moderation in consumption is the teaching of all Buddhas.”

In our modern world, filled with processed snacks and flavor-enhancing additives, this teaching reminds us that health, balance, and freedom from suffering often begin with what—and how much—we consume.

🧂 Salt: The Hidden Ingredient with a Heavy Impact

Salt (sodium chloride) is essential in small amounts. It helps nerves send signals, muscles contract, and fluids stay in balance. But when consumed in excess—as is common in modern diets—it becomes a silent threat to our internal systems.

---

💓 Salt and High Blood Pressure

Too much salt increases sodium in the bloodstream, which causes the body to retain more water. This raises blood volume and forces the heart to work harder—leading to high blood pressure (hypertension).

High blood pressure is often symptomless but quietly increases the risk of:

• Heart attack
• Stroke
• Heart failure

In Buddhist terms, this could be seen as a gradual buildup of dukkha (suffering) due to not knowing the right measure—a direct contrast to the teaching of mattaññutā (moderation).

---

🧬 How Kidneys Are Affected

The kidneys act as filters for the blood, removing excess sodium and waste. When sodium levels are consistently high:

• The kidneys must work harder and longer.
• Over time, this strain leads to damage, especially in people with other risks like diabetes or obesity.
• Eventually, the kidney’s ability to maintain salt-water balance declines, leading to chronic kidney disease (CKD).

This is a slow and painful consequence of imbalance. The body’s ecosystem, like the mind, depends on wise regulation.

---

🍲 Hidden Salt in Everyday Food

You don’t have to add extra salt to consume too much. Most sodium comes from:

• Instant noodles and soup powders
• Canned foods and frozen meals
• Processed meats like sausages or ham
• Condiments: soy sauce, fish sauce, and ketchup
• Bakery items, chips, and even breakfast cereals

It’s not just what we eat—it’s how unaware we’ve become of what’s hidden inside.

---

🧘 Practicing Moderation in Everyday Life

The Buddha’s teaching on mattaññutā—knowing the right measure—applies beautifully here. Moderation in salt intake can be practiced through:

• Reading food labels for sodium content
• Cooking at home with fresh ingredients
• Using herbs, lemon, or chili instead of salty sauces
• Drinking enough water to help kidneys function well
• Pausing before eating: "Do I need more flavor, or am I already satisfied?"

---

🌿 The Middle Way in Eating

True freedom doesn’t come from total restriction or indulgence—it comes from mindful balance. Just as the Buddha taught the Middle Way between extremes, eating with awareness of what supports or harms our body is part of the path.

By honoring this principle, we not only protect our heart and kidneys—we align our lifestyle with one of the most ancient and universal truths:

“Knowing moderation in consumption is the teaching of all Buddhas.”

---