4 tablespoons of kecap manis can approach daily sodium limit
Excess intake can worsen hypertension and raise the risk of stroke, heart failure and kidney failure.
Excessive consumption of kecap manis can push sodium intake close to the daily limit. Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin said one tablespoon of kecap manis contains about 350-500 milligrams of sodium. That means four tablespoons can already approach, or even exceed, the adult sodium intake limit of 2.000 milligrams a day, equal to 5 grams of salt or about one teaspoon. Doctor and public nutrition expert Tan Shot Yen warned that in people with hypertension, a high-sodium diet can keep blood pressure uncontrolled. The condition can damage blood vessel walls, disrupt blood flow to vital organs and increase the risk of stroke, heart attack, heart failure and kidney failure.