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In the busy city life, people often put a salted duck egg on the breakfast table with a bowl of hot white porridge, which seems to be a common eating habit. Recently, there is a saying circulating on the Internet: "Eating one salted duck egg a day increases the risk of liver cancer by 30%." This statement has caused many salted duck egg lovers to have doubts in their hearts.
Is this rumor true? Today, we're going to unravel the mystery.
Salted duck eggs, as one of the traditional Chinese delicacies, are deeply loved by people for their unique taste and rich nutritional value. With the increase in health awareness, people are increasingly concerned about the safety and health effects of food. As a pickled food, salted duck eggs have become the focus of attention due to their high salt content and possible nitrite production.
Let's take a look at the salt content in salted duck eggs. Salted duck eggs are "salty" because a lot of salt is added during the pickling process. The World Health Organization recommends that salt intake should be less than 6 grams per person per day, and a medium-sized salted duck egg (about 60 grams) contains more than 3 grams of salt.
This means that if you eat one salted duck egg a day, your salt intake is likely to exceed the recommended value. Long-term high-salt diets can lead to high blood pressure and also increase the risk of cardiovascular disease.
Is there a link between a high-salt diet and liver cancer? According to a study published in the Chinese Journal of Epidemiology, more than 20,000 residents in Qidong City, Jiangsu Province, were followed for 20 years and found that daily consumption of salted duck eggs was associated with an increased risk of liver cancer. Studies have shown that the high salt and fat content of salted duck eggs may adversely affect liver health.
The liver is responsible for metabolizing salt, and when too much salt is consumed, the burden on the liver increases, which may lead to liver fibrosis and even cirrhosis in the long run. Cirrhosis is a high-risk factor for liver cancer.
Salted duck eggs produce nitrite during the curing process. Nitrite itself is not carcinogenic, but when it enters the stomach, it is synthesized with protein breakdown products in the stomach to form carcinogens nitrosamines. If you eat too many salted duck eggs for a long time, it may increase the incidence of cancer.
Although there is currently no direct causal evidence, nitrite in both high-salt diets and preserved foods is considered a risk factor for liver cancer.
We also can't generalize that salted duck eggs are "carcinogens". It's all about how much and how often you consume it. Consumption of salted duck eggs in moderation does not significantly increase the risk of cancer. The "Dietary Guidelines for Chinese Residents (2022)" issued by the Chinese Nutrition Society recommends that salted duck eggs and other salted egg products should be consumed in moderation, no more than 2 per week.
This means that if you are able to control the amount you eat, the occasional taste of salted duck eggs will not cause major health risks.
In addition to salted duck eggs, do other high-salt foods have similar health risks? The answer is yes. High-salt foods such as pickled foods, pickles, salted fish, etc., are all considered risk factors for high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, and certain cancers. Studies have shown that a high-salt diet can lead to an imbalance of sodium and potassium in the body, which can affect blood pressure regulation and kidney function.
This imbalance may also interfere with the normal metabolism of cells, leading to an increase in oxidative stress, further damaging the health of the liver and other organs. The incidence of gastric and esophageal cancers was also significantly higher in people who consumed excessive amounts of salted fish and preserved foods.
Whether it's for the sake of the liver or overall health, everyone should control their salt intake. The Chinese Nutrition Society recommends that the daily salt intake per person should not exceed 6 grams.
In real life, many people far exceed this standard. Cultivating a light diet, eating plenty of fresh ingredients, and reducing your reliance on processed and preserved foods are key to staying healthy. In this way, you can prevent liver disease and reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease and other chronic diseases.
In addition to controlling salt intake, we also need to pay attention to the overall diet and lifestyle. A balanced diet, moderate exercise, and good lifestyle habits such as moderate exercise, no alcohol, and no smoking are all essential to prevent liver cancer and other diseases. Regular check-ups are also an important means of timely detection and treatment of potential health problems.
Going back to the rumor at the beginning, "eating one salted duck egg a day increases the risk of liver cancer by 30%", this statement, although it sounds shocking, is not absolute. The key is how we understand and respond to this message. Consuming salted duck eggs in moderation does not directly cause cancer, but long-term consumption of large amounts may indeed increase health risks.
We should reasonably control the intake of salted duck eggs according to our physical condition and eating habits.
As a doctor, I often encounter patients who have health problems due to poor eating habits. Many of them have unwittingly fallen into a health trap. I hope that through this article, you will have a more comprehensive understanding of the health risks of salted duck eggs and other foods high in salt. While enjoying food, you should also pay attention to your physical health. Health is our most valuable asset.
Before I wrap up this article, I want to emphasize once again: moderation is key. Whether it's salted duck eggs or any other food, eating it in moderation does not pose a major health hazard. The key is how we balance our diet, control our intake, and develop good habits. Let's work together to take responsibility for our own health!
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