WHAT HAPPENS WHEN CONSUMING TOO MUCH SALT?!


Question: WHAT HAPPENS WHEN CONSUMING TOO MUCH SALT?
I know that too much of anything isn't almost ever good and that goes for salt as well. What exactly does salt do to you when consumed in big portions (and on a daily bases)? How does the body react to it and what does this lead to on short and long terms?

Answers:

If your body is working normally, the excess salt will simply pass out in you urine. However, if you have primary hypertension, you will retain water and raise you blood pressure which could lead to stroke and other ailments. That's why some people are on salt restricted diets. If you just consume a large amount of salt once in a while there souldn't be any effect.

PhD Food Chemistry and Nutrition



Too much salt can cause high blood pressure, which may lead to heart disease or strokes. It may also cause permanent kidney damage. In the shorter term, it can make you retain water (you'll seem heavier and may have puffy limbs/face) and can make you short of breath.

Sodium is a vital nutrient and we MUST get some, but it is very easy to get too much these days and suffer from negative effects. It is estimated that 90% of Americans regularly eat too much sodium.



What salt does is remove water from your cells (that is why you cannot drink sea water.) Without proper hydration, you can very well become dehydrated and further problems may occur. Our body only needs 500 milligrams a day, but about 2,400 is recommended. Most people take in over 4,000 milligrams a day.

http://wiki.answers.com/Q/How_much_sodiu…



Mainly dehydration, but also high blood pressure.



Excessive salt in the diet can lead to high blood pressure, which in turn can lead to a heart attack or stroke.



You will get dehydrated and feel bloated.




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