What happens when you have too much sodium?
What happens when you have too much sodium?
But too much sodium in the diet can lead to high blood pressure, heart disease, and stroke. It can also cause calcium losses, some of which may be pulled from bone. Most Americans consume at least 1.5 teaspoons of salt per day, or about 3400 mg of sodium, which contains far more than our bodies need.
Why is too much sodium so bad for you?
Excess sodium increases blood pressure because it holds excess fluid in the body, and that creates an added burden on the heart. Too much sodium will increase your risk of stroke, heart failure, osteoporosis, stomach cancer and kidney disease. And, 1 in 3 Americans will develop high blood pressure in their lifetime.
Does water lower sodium?
Drinking lots of water helps flush sodium from your kidneys; staying hydrated will also help you feel less bloated.
What happens if you have too much sodium in your blood?
Excess levels of sodium/salt may put you at risk for: Enlarged heart muscle. Headaches. Kidney disease. Osteoporosis. Stroke. Heart failure. High blood pressure. Kidney stones.
Why is too much salt bad for Your Heart?
Whenever you have a high blood pressure, it causes your heart to have to work a lot harder and it can cause damage to blood vessels and the heart muscle itself. Excess salt is has been linked to hypertension, and of course hypertension is a risk for heart disease.
Can a high salt diet cause high blood pressure?
A diet high in salt can cause raised blood pressure, which can increase your risk of heart disease and stroke. High blood pressure often has no symptoms, and many people who have high blood pressure don’t know it. For tips on how to cut down on salt, read Tips for a lower-salt diet.
What foods should you avoid if you have too much sodium in your diet?
Avoid salty condiments such as soy sauce, or choose lower-salt versions of these products. Limit your intake of processed foods such as lunch meats, frozen pizza or entrees, soups and fast foods, opting instead for fresh poultry, meat and fish. Omit salt wherever possible when cooking, replacing salt with herbs and spices.
Why might a low sodium diet be harmful?
Recent research suggests that consuming too little salt may increase the risk of heart disease . A prolonged low-sodium diet can lead to the body not being able to function properly. Most sodium comes from our consumption of sodium chloride (table salt) in our diet.
What are the symptoms of excessive sodium?
When excessive salt makes the levels of sodium increase, your body retains water. As extra fluids build up in tissues it causes another one of the symptoms of too much sodium — swelling. This swelling, called edema, affects various parts of the body, but often occurs in the face, hands, legs, ankles and feet.
What are the consequences of high sodium intake?
High levels of sodium in your blood means your blood doesn’t have enough water. In addition to triggering thirst, high blood sodium levels can lead to confusion, muscle twitching or a coma.
What will increase sodium?
Add additional salt to the foods you eat to increase the sodium levels in your blood stream. Additional sodium that you add to your foods will be absorbed in your digestive tract and absorbed by your blood stream. Eat low calorie foods to prevent weight gain. Sprinkle salt on salads, sandwiches, vegetables or fruit to increase sodium intake.