Side Effects of Excess Salt

Salt in moderation is good for your health. In fact, without salt in the body, it would not be able to function both physically or mentally. Salt helps with muscle contractions, balances fluids, increases energy and helps the brain to communicate with the rest of the body. However, negative side effects can occur when excess salt is consumed.

Kidney Problems

Excess salt can cause the kidneys to work harder, as they are responsible for eliminating excess salt from the body. As a result kidney stones and other kidney diseases may develop over time.

Excess Salt in Urine

Naturally there will be more salt in the urine if the salt intake is high. In a way this is good, because it means the kidneys are able to keep up. However, it can take its toll on the kidneys, as mentioned above.

Fluid Retention

Fluid retention results when the kidneys are unable to keep up with eliminating the high amounts of salt. As the salt begins to build up, the body retains fluids in order to dilute the salt.

Excess Thirst

Excess thirst is often a sign of excess salt, as the body uses fluid for dilution.

High Blood Pressure

Excess salt can cause the blood vessels to constrict making it more difficult for the blood to flow through. This in turn causes the heart to pump harder, and it can lead to heart disease and stroke.

Osteoporosis and Weak Teeth

Taking in excess amounts of salt can cause the body to lose more calcium via the urine. As a result the body draws calcium from the bones in order to maintain a healthy level in the rest of the body. This causes the teeth and bones to become weak, and eventually osteoporosis begins to form in the bones.

Cancer

Too much salt can eat away at the stomach lining, which eventually can cause stomach ulcers and stomach cancer.

Arthritis

There is controversy as to whether or not salt can worsen the symptoms of arthritis. But many believe that there is a connection between the two.

Cellulite and Weight Gain

While salt may not directly contribute to cellulite or excess fat cells, it does however, cause extra fluids to build up in the body. The fluids not only contribute to weight gain, but they push up against the cellulite and makes it more visible.

Brain Function

Salt is needed in order for the brain to communicate with the rest of the body. But when taken in extremely high amounts it can result in poor muscle coordination and weakness in the body.

How to Reduce a High Salt Intake

In most cases, a high salt intake is the result of eating too many processed foods. Therefore it is a good idea to eliminate processed foods, and eat more unprocessed and raw foods. For more visit: Reduce Your Salt Intake.