The wisdom of the Donguibogam can also be clearly explained by modern science. The main component behind salty flavor is sodium. Sodium is an essential mineral vital for sustaining life, regulating the osmotic pressure of body fluids, transmitting nerve signals, and enabling muscle contraction. However, moderation is essential. When sodium intake becomes excessive, the body enters a state of emergency.
Consuming a lot of salty food abnormally elevates the sodium concentration in the blood. To resolve this imbalance, the body pulls water from cells and tissues outside the bloodstream to expand blood volume. At this point, osmoreceptors in the hypothalamus detect this change and send strong thirst signals. This is why thirst can feel unquenched no matter how much water you drink. Because the internal sodium concentration is already high, drinking water does not allow the fluid to be properly absorbed into the cells; instead, it lingers in the blood vessels or leaks into the interstitial fluid, triggering swelling.
Furthermore, excessive sodium intake places a direct burden on the kidney. The kidney plays a crucial role in filtering excess sodium from the blood and excreting it through the urine. If sodium intake is so high that it exceeds the processing capacity of the kidney, the kidney activates the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system or stimulates the secretion of antidiuretic hormone, also known as vasopressin. These systems retain water and sodium within the body by expanding blood volume and reducing sodium excretion through urine. As a result, blood pressure rises, stress is placed on the heart and blood vessels, and the risk of chronic edema as well as cardiovascular disease can increase.
Beyond swelling, this fluid imbalance can also affect brain function. Because brain cells likewise react sensitively to shifts in osmotic pressure, one may experience headaches, fatigue, and impaired concentration in severe cases. The salty food casually enjoyed every day can destabilize such an elaborate physiological system. To properly care for the body, it is important to build a healthier relationship with salty tastes.
