Health Risks of Eating Too Much Salt

Health Risks of Eating Too Much Salt

Now that you know how salt can help you, here’s a look at how too much salt can hurt you:

Increases Water Retention

If you eat too much salt, your kidneys may not be able to filter excess sodium from your bloodstream. Sodium builds up in your system, and your body holds onto extra water in an attempt to dilute the sodium. This can cause water retention and bloating.

Damages Cardiovascular Health

Excess water in your body can put added pressure on your heart and blood vessels, triggering high blood pressure. This is a leading cause of heart attack and stroke. The risk for heart disease is higher when a high-sodium diet is accompanied by a low-potassium diet. Potassium helps excrete sodium from your body and help to relax blood vessels.

Higher Risk of Osteoporosis

The more salt you eat, the more calcium your body loses through urination. And unfortunately, if you don’t have enough calcium in your diet, the body will take it from your bones, increasing the risk for bone problems, like osteoporosis.

May Increase Your Risk for Stomach Cancer

There’s also evidence suggesting that a high-salt diet increases the risk for stomach cancer, according to a study published in 2014 in the journal Cancer Treatment and Research, and earlier research published in the British Journal of Cancer. 

Why You Might Crave Salt if You Eat a High-Salt Diet

Even if you know the importance of cutting back to reduce your sodium intake, this is easier said than done when you constantly crave a salty treat.

It might come as a shock, but salt is addictive. In fact, some studies have found that salt stimulates the brain in the same way that cigarettes and drugs do, such as one published in the journal Psychological Behavior. So the more you eat salty foods, the more you may crave it. This can explain why it’s hard to just eat one chip.

Keep in mind that salt cravings can also be a sign of a medical problem. You could have an adrenal insufficiency caused by Addison’s disease, or a rare kidney problem called Bartter syndrome. Consult your doctor if cravings persist or intensify.