Salt is an essential nutrient for the human body, but too much salt can have serious health consequences. The average American consumes over 3,400 milligrams of sodium per day, which is more than double the recommended amount of 1,500 milligrams.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), adults should consume no more than 2,000 milligrams( approx 5 gm ) of sodium per day. However, most people consume much more than this.
Short-term effects of overconsuming salt
When you eat a meal that is high in salt, your body may experience a number of short-term effects, including:
- Thirst
- Bloating
- Puffiness in the hands, feet, and face
- Headache
These effects are usually temporary and go away once your body has a chance to process the excess salt. However, if you regularly eat a high-salt diet, you may experience these effects more often and they may become more severe.
Long-term effects of overconsuming salt
Over time, overconsuming salt can lead to a number of serious health problems, including:
- High blood pressure
- Heart disease
- Stroke
- Kidney disease
- Stomach cancer
- Osteoporosis
High blood pressure
High blood pressure is the most common long-term effect of overconsuming salt. According to the WHO, high blood pressure is the leading risk factor for global mortality. It is estimated that high blood pressure accounts for about 13% of all deaths worldwide.
When you eat too much salt, your body retains water to balance out the sodium levels in your blood. This extra water puts pressure on your blood vessels and forces your heart to work harder. Over time, this can damage your heart and lead to high blood pressure.
Heart disease and stroke
High blood pressure, cholesterol is a major risk factor for heart disease and stroke. When you have high blood pressure, your blood vessels are more likely to become hardened and narrowed. This can make it difficult for blood to flow to your heart and brain. When blood flow is restricted to the heart, it can lead to heart attack. When blood flow is restricted to the brain, it can lead to stroke.
According to the WHO, heart disease has been the leading cause of death worldwide since so long. It is estimated that heart disease accounts for about 17.9 million deaths each year. Stroke is the second leading cause of death worldwide. It is estimated that stroke accounts for about 6.7 million deaths each year.
Kidney disease
Over time, overconsuming salt can damage your kidneys. Your kidneys are responsible for filtering waste products from your blood. When you eat too much salt, it makes your kidneys work harder to filter out the extra sodium. This can eventually lead to kidney damage.
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