5 Ways In Which Eating Too Much Salt Affects Your Body

Effects Of Too Much Salt: Eating too much salt can generally cause high blood pressure, and increase the risk of heart diseases and strokes. Consuming too many amounts of sodium can have a range of effects on the body. Salt is essential for the body, but the quantity matters. Although sodium is necessary for optimal muscle and nerve function and helps to maintain proper water and mineral balance in the body, it can also cause swelling, bloating, indigestion and many other problems. Here are some ways in which consuming too much salt can affect your overall health.

Watch the video below about how much salt is healthy per day: 

Effects Of Too Much Salt

1. Bloating

Bloating is when your stomach feels swollen or tight and is one of the most common short-term effects of having too much salt, as per WebMD. It helps your body retain water, so extra fluid builds up. Foods don’t have to taste salty for them to be high in sodium. Sandwiches, pizza, bagels, and canned soup can be sneaky sources of salt.

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2. High Blood Pressure

Another immediate repercussion of too much salt is high blood pressure. When you consume extra amounts of sodium, it makes it difficult for the kidneys to get rid of the fluid that the body does not need. This may result in a rise in blood pressure levels in the body.

3. Swelling

Effects Of Too Much Salt On Body (Image Credits: Canva)

Swelling can also be a sign of too much sodium in the body. When our kidneys are unable to eliminate excess sodium from the body, it begins to build up in the body. When the body begins to hold up too much sodium, it tries to dilute it with water, which further increases blood volume and retains the fluid. This causes swelling in major parts of the body including hands, feet, face and ankles.

4. Thirsty

The WebMD states that if you’ve been really thirsty lately, it could be a sign that you’re eating too much salt. When that happens, you become dehydrated. Your body pulls water from your cells, and you might start to feel very thirsty. Drinking water can help neutralise that salt and can freshen up your cells.

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5. Excess Weight

Too much sodium in the body can also lead to excessive weight gain. When the body retains water, it leads to weight gain. If you have experienced sudden weight gain within some days or a week, it might be due to excessive sodium intake. Therefore, be mindful of the amounts of salt you include in your diet to maintain your overall health.

(Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis or treatment.)