Seasonings... (might) become sources of disease

Eating strongly flavored food affects health, especially favorite dishes that are so heavily seasoned until they taste rich and delicious, sour, sweet, salty, spicy, depending on personal preference. But be careful, because if you add too much, strongly flavored food can become a source of serious illness and have long-term negative effects on your health. Let’s take a look at some of the seasonings on our dining tables that we are all familiar with, which, if consumed too much without caution, can surprisingly harm health.

Salty cravings, risk of heart damage and high blood pressure

Sodium is the main component in salty seasonings, not only limited to salt, fish sauce, or soy sauce, but also hidden in our daily lives from the first meal to the last, in stock cubes for porridge or soup, processed foods, frozen foods, canned foods, instant noodles, and even snacks throughout the day. In truth, our bodies only need about 1,500 milligrams of sodium per day, which is just 1 teaspoon.

But nowadays, it has been found that Thai people consume foods containing sodium as high as 4,351.7 milligrams per day, which is more than double the standard. If eating habits are not adjusted to reduce saltiness, sodium lovers risk suffering from serious diseases like high blood pressure. In the long run, it can cause the heart muscle to thicken, lead to heart failure, coronary artery disease, stroke, and kidney deterioration.

Too sweet, bigger waistline, and also linked to liver cancer and uterine cancer

A life that doesn’t go light on sweetness… in the long term destroys health. Being overly sweet doesn’t just make you vulnerable to diabetes. Sugar, once converted to energy in the body, if not used or burned sufficiently, will turn into stored fat, which may cause obesity and various health problems. Sweetness in seasonings is not only in sugar, but also in carbohydrates converted from starch, sweet soy sauce, fruit, coffee, soft drinks, creamer, or even sweetened condensed milk which, in some formulas, may not be dairy products as many believe but a mix of sugar, starch, and palm oil. This makes the body receive more saturated fat, accumulate unnecessary substances, and risk higher cholesterol. Therefore, we should read labels, ingredients, and nutrition facts carefully before buying. Better still, adjust cooking habits to use less sugar.

In addition, people who like to season with sweetness are also at risk of serious diseases such as liver cancer, which occurs when fat from sugar that the body cannot use up accumulates in the liver. If left until chronic inflammation occurs, it may turn into cirrhosis and eventually liver cancer. There is also uterine cancer (not cervical cancer), which can result from excessively high sugar in the body, forcing the production of more insulin, stimulating overgrowth of cells in the endometrium until uncontrolled, eventually leading to serious disease. For health-conscious people and those who want to reduce sweetness in their food, we recommend that children should not consume more than 4 teaspoons of sugar per day and adults should not consume more than 6 teaspoons. If sugar intake can be controlled to standard, using products that provide sweetness as a sugar substitute can help maintain health and reduce the risk of serious illness.

Spicy food helps burn, but too much seasoning risks cancer

Thai food is famous for being spicy. Strongly flavored food does boost energy, but spiciness is not just about deliciousness. There are also illnesses and diseases hidden in that spicy dish. Notice yourself after eating spicy food. We often experience a burning stomach or diarrhea. These are not minor issues. If the same eating habits continue, the first condition that may arise is acid reflux, where stomach acid flows back up into the esophagus. If it becomes chronic and cannot be cured, it may lead to esophageal cancer. Or, if spicy food causes inflammation and ulcers in the colon wall, it may develop into inflammatory bowel disease, which, if left untreated and without regular medical care, could progress into colorectal cancer.

Moreover, it’s not only eating chilies. Ground chili powder, if left damp and deteriorating, may contain ochratoxin A contamination, which can cause cancer in the urinary system. Knowing this, those who enjoy spicy food should gradually reduce the heat in their dishes, season in moderation, and keep good health by lowering the risk of serious diseases around us.

Sour overload, a hidden threat to the lymphatic system

Eating sour foods is often said to be good, with vitamin C helping to prevent colds. But beware. For those who love that sharp tang or always keep lime or vinegar on hand, know that you may be adding health problems to your plate. Over-seasoning until the dish is too sour may not stop at diarrhea. The acid can erode tooth enamel and cause tooth decay, as well as trigger stomach acid to flow back up into the esophagus, leading to acid reflux, similar to what happens to people who prefer spicy food.

Beyond that, it also affects the lymphatic system, making wounds heal more slowly than usual. And in cases where the body takes in artificial lime juice or fake vinegar—products sometimes used in leather tanning, printing, or textile industries—that may be contaminated with heavy metals, the danger to the digestive system is even greater. The solution is to season food in moderation. If you are unsure, switch to naturally sour seasonings such as tamarind sauce, young tamarind leaves, green mango, Songkhla mini mango, soap pod shoots, or okra shoots. These not only make dishes flavorful but also keep your health safer and better protected against serious illness.

These days we already consume sugar, sodium, and fat in most of our meals. Making flavors even stronger only adds more unnecessary risk of disease. That’s why we should cut down on sweet, oily, and salty tastes for long-term health benefits.

That doesn’t mean you can’t season food at all. Gradually adjusting habits and finding healthier substitutes can also help with taking care of your health. For example, skipping sugary drinks between meals, swapping afternoon snacks from crisps to fruits that are less sweet but rich in nutrients such as guava, dragon fruit, or watermelon can refresh the body while supporting healthy digestion. Or cutting out processed snacks, fried food, and instant ready-to-eat meals can reduce fat and sodium, helping you stay safe from illness. Still, it’s worth remembering that even fruits and vegetables should not be eaten in excessive amounts. Some fruits are high in sugar, while certain vegetables or prepared dishes contain minerals that the body should not receive in large quantities.

In addition, drinking enough clean water, exercising, and getting rest without stress all help strengthen the body’s defenses. Striking a balance and knowing moderation in both lifestyle and diet are keys to staying healthy and keeping serious diseases at bay in the long run.

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• Coverage period of the rider must not exceed the coverage period of the life insurance policy that this rider is attached to.

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• Premium is eligible for tax deduction. Conditions are as specified by the Revenue Department.

• Please study the details of coverage and exclusions before making a decision to purchase insurance.

  Sources: Thai Health Promotion Foundation (ThaiHealth), Bumrungrad International Hospital, MGR Online, Paolo Hospital, Sukumvit Hospital, Post Today