Categories: Health

Eating Too Much Salt Causes One Major Side Effect, According To Science

Eating too much salt can cause a side effect that leads to "lots of undesirable" health consequences.

Excessive consumption of salt can lead to both short-term and long-term side effects, says scientists.
Apparently, too much salt may also cause hydration – which could then cause other health problems.
It is important for us to observe adequate salt intake to avoid negative health consequences.

Imagine eating French fries, popcorn, or your favorite fish dish without salt. It would feel incomplete, right? Well, of course, we all know that salt adds taste and texture to many of our favorite treats and delicacies.

However, as they always say, too much of a good thing is always bad and the same thing can be said about salt. In fact, experts have continually reminded that excessive consumption could potentially cause serious health implications such as heart disease, stomach cancer, and even premature death.

It is also worth-mentioning that eating too much salt can also lead to a short-term effect: hydration.

In a Popular Science post, we read:

“When you consume too much sodium in your diet, your body holds extra water. That’s because the kidneys, which filter out waste from the blood, maintain a special ratio of electrolytes, such as sodium to potassium, to water.”

“More salt in the diet means the kidneys keep more water in the system,” the article continued. “That can have lots of undesirable effects, such as edema (swelling in places like the hands, arms, feet, ankles, and legs); more fluid in general means more blood coursing through veins and arteries. Over time, that causes them to stiffen, which could lead to high blood pressure.”

While ample amount of salt is necessary for the body to function properly, it is important not too eat too much so as to avoid both short-term and long-term side effects.

“The first step in maintaining a healthy level of salt consumption is knowing which foods are high in sodium,” suggested Dr. Chulaporn Roongpisuthipong of Thailand’s Bumrungrad International Hospital. “This allows you to make informed decisions on how much and how often you should consume high-sodium foods…. Keep in mind that salt (sodium) is an essential nutrient, so consuming too little can have a negative impact on your health as well.”