4 signs indicating you eat too much salt
Illustrative photo (Freepik)
Salt is essential for the human body as it aids in various processes, and completely eliminating it from your diet is not recommended. However, the world faces a different problem - we consume too much salt, which harms our health. And there are four signs indicating that you consume too much of it, according to Fit for Fun.
How much salt is needed
The World Health Organization (WHO) warns about the consequences of excessive salt consumption.
Our daily diet not only provides us with the necessary amount of salt but also gives us much more than we need. Just one whole grain roll covers our daily requirement of approximately 1.5 grams.
International nutrition societies recommend that young and adult individuals do not exceed a limit of 6 grams (about 1 teaspoon) per day.
In addition to using salt as a seasoning in cooking, we also consume it in ready-made products, pretty much in all of them.
What happens to body with high salt intake
Too much salt can cause high blood pressure and cardiovascular diseases. According to studies, about 1.6 million people die annually due to regular excess salt in their diet.
Constant feeling of thirst
Your body will demand water, especially after consuming a lot of processed foods. The body needs a certain amount of salt to regulate the water balance in cells.
The sodium in salt is also responsible for transmitting nerve impulses, regulating heart rhythm, and muscle function. If the concentration is too high, the brain signals: water needed! And we feel thirsty.
If we don't drink, at some point there may be confusion, headaches, and fainting - all due to water balance disruption. However, constant thirst can also be a sign of diabetes, so consult a doctor to know for sure.
Frequent headaches
A burning or throbbing sensation between the temples can have many causes. Besides stress, the cause of pain is often a lack of water or overly salty food.
Think about what you ate before the pain appeared. Too much salt leads to the dilation of blood vessels in the brain, causing headaches.
Bloating
Unlike stomach bloating caused by beans or cabbage that produce gas, stomach bloating caused by too much salt is due to water.
If there is too much sodium in the blood, water escapes from cells and causes swelling. This is usually immediately noticeable on the fingers and toes. But the stomach can also be affected.
Food tastes bland
If you put a lot of salt in your food, pasta, and salad will no longer have a moderately seasoned taste because your taste buds will get used to the salt. But this can be changed. Season your food with healthier alternatives such as fresh herbs, chili peppers, or lemon juice.
Gradually, your taste buds will adapt to the changes and stop requiring additional portions of salt.
This material is for informational purposes only and should not be used for medical diagnosis or self-treatment. Our goal is to provide readers with accurate information about symptoms, causes, and methods of detecting diseases. RBС-Ukraine is not responsible for any diagnoses that readers may make based on materials from the resource. We do not recommend self-treatment and advise consulting a doctor in case of any health concerns.
