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What Happens To Your Body When You Eat Too Much Of Salt

Listed here are a few of the health problems that can arise when salt intake is in excess. Take a look.

Salt is an indispensable part of our cuisines, but effect of excessive intake of salt can be threatening. Yes, salt is the hidden reason for many of your health issues. Human body requires sodium to maintain blood flow, normal blood pressure and digestion.

Excess intake can lead to many dreadful diseases, including heart attack, stroke and high blood pressure. Awareness on health effects of salt should be given to all age groups for a healthy life.

Effect of excessive intake of salt is a hot topic in the medical field. Almost all the fast foods and processed foods come with more salt than homemade dishes. Sodium and salt consumption plays a vital role even in many of the health problems in children. Experts recommend making the taste buds used to less salt starting from the childhood.

You can find some of the low-sodium versions of traditional foods or explore new products that contain less sodium. By understanding effect of excessive intake of salt, you can make good choices.

Let's now discuss about some of the health effects of having too much salt:

High Blood Pressure:

High Blood Pressure:

If you consume a high amount of salt daily without realizing the negative health effects of it, high blood pressure will be the result. High blood pressure will damage your arteries that lead to the heart. It is better to reduce the intake of salt and thus lower the pressure and keep your heart healthy.

Cardiovascular Diseases:

Cardiovascular Diseases:

Besides high blood pressure, excessive intake of salt can also cause cardiovascular diseases like heart attacks, stroke and even heart failures. This is mainly due to the long-term effect of constant and frequent change in blood pressure.

Cancer:

Cancer:

Can you believe that excess salt intake can cause cancer? Excessive intake of salty, salt, or sodium-rich foods can cause cancer. According to studies, probability of stomach cancer is more in people who consume more of salty foods.

Kidney Diseases:

Kidney Diseases:

Sodium has an important role in keeping the electrolyte balance of the body. When you take a high-salt diet, this will alter the sodium balance in your body. This will decrease kidney function, resulting in high blood pressure, due to less water excretion.

Stomach Ulcer:

Stomach Ulcer:

Excessive sodium in your body has been linked to stomach ulcers. Stomach lining gets damaged with high quantity of sodium or excessive intake of salt. This will also affect the water balance of the body.

Osteoporosis:

Osteoporosis:

Osteoporosis, the bone-thinning disease, can be triggered with excessive intake of salt. If your body has sodium more than the required amount, the tendency of drinking more water increases. Meanwhile, urination increases and this causes leakage of calcium from your body.

Negative Impact On Cognitive Function:

Negative Impact On Cognitive Function:

If you are taking a high-salt diet daily, you will experience mild or moderate cognitive dysfunction in its various forms. Cognitive functions encompass memory, reasoning, attention, etc. With high-quantity sodium, the brain function can also be damaged.

Your body needs sodium, but excess intake will cause many health problems. Being moderate is the key!!

Story first published: Friday, March 17, 2017, 12:10 [IST]
Read more about: salt blood pressure heart