Salt is made up of around 40% sodium and 60% chloride. It’s commonly used to add flavour to foods or preserve them. For optimal muscle and nerve function, sodium is a mineral that is necessary. Along with chloride, it aids in the maintenance of your body’s normal mineral and water balance.
Although salt serves important purposes, consuming too much of it can have negative short- and long-term impacts.
You retain fluid when you consume a lot of sodium, which temporarily causes swelling. But what’s even more frightening is how it will eventually affect your body. Your kidney function may suffer if you consume too much sodium. Additionally, it causes high blood pressure, which is the main risk factor for stroke.
“Everyone should be aware of how much salt they’re eating and how it affects them,” says registered dietitian Julia Zumpano, who told Cleveland Clinic.
Here are some of the negative short- and long-term effects of consuming too much salt according to Healthline:
High salt intake for a brief period of time can result in water retention, an increase in blood pressure, excessive thirst, and, in extreme situations, hypernatremia. Some individuals, nevertheless, might only notice minor side effects, states the health publication.
Long-term salt use may elevate blood pressure and increase the risk of stomach cancer. Although additional research is required to establish this, it may also raise the risk of heart disease and early death.
Additionally, consuming too much salt can affect your quality of sleep, especially if you eat it in the evening, eating too much sodium can interfere with your ability to sleep. Staying asleep is challenging because of an increase in blood pressure and impulses to drink and urinate.
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