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Low-Sodium Diet Benefits: Cutting down on salt can be one of the healthiest practices that you can adopt for a healthier lifestyle and better health. Sodium is generally needed by the body to regulate fluid levels but a diet high in salt can lead to an increase in blood pressure levels and other health conditions. On the other hand, if the sodium levels in the body drop to drastic levels, it may lead to hormone imbalance. 

Pros Of Quitting Salt

According to WHO, reducing sodium intake is one of the most cost-effective ways to improve health and reduce the burden of non-communicable diseases, as it can avert a large number of cardiovascular events and deaths at very low total programme costs.

Opting for a low-sodium diet can help in lowering the risk of kidney diseases, as it becomes hard to remove excess fluid from the body. Too much can cause calcium loss in bones, therefore limited salt intake can preserve and maintain bone health. 

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Lowering your sodium intake can also help manage the buildup of fluid in the abdomen and maintain normal blood pressure and sugar levels of the body. An estimated 1.89 million deaths each year are associated with consuming too much sodium, as per WHO. 

To switch to a low-sodium diet, you need to eliminate processed and prepackaged foods such as chips, canned meals, high-sodium sauces and packed dinners. 

Cons Of Excessive Sodium Consumption

Even though sodium is an essential nutrient that the body requires, excessive consumption may lead to health adversities. Therefore, one should consume salt within limits to promote good health. The Better Health Channel advocates that hyponatremia is a condition that occurs when the sodium in your blood falls below the normal range of 135 to 145 mEq/L. In severe cases, low sodium levels in the body can lead to muscle cramps, nausea, vomiting and dizziness. Eventually, a lack of salt can lead to shock, coma and death.

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