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Salt is common in processed foods, so what happens if you eat too much of it? Find out why too much salt does so much damage.

Salt consists of about 40 percent sodium and 60 percent chloride and these minerals help maintain proper water and mineral balance. In addition, it is a common household product and food processing product due to the flavor it adds. However, if you eat too much salt, it can lead to both short-term and long-term effects.

Short-Term Effects

Why Too Much Salt Does So Much DamageSome unpleasant short-term effects of eating too much salt include water retention, a rise in blood pressure, and intense thirst. For instance, your body naturally wants to maintain a sodium-to-water ratio, and when you consume too much salt, it holds on to extra water. As a result, this water retention can lead to swelling and bloatedness.

Eating salt-rich foods can also temporarily result in increased blood pressure levels for some people. However, if you are salt resistant, you may not experience a rise in your blood pressure. Salt sensitivity is believed to be influenced by genetics, hormones, and other factors.

Long-Term Effects

In addition to short-term effects, eating too much salt can result in several health issues that affect you in the long term. These include raising your blood pressure and increasing your risk of stomach cancer, heart disease, and premature death.

Eating salt-rich diets can significantly increase your blood pressure, especially if you’re salt-sensitive. However, by following a low-sodium diet like the DASH diet, you can effectively lower your blood pressure levels.

In addition, several studies point to salt-rich diets as risk factors for stomach cancer. While the effect on stomach cancer isn’t fully understood, experts think that salt-rich diets can cause ulcers and inflammation of the stomach lining, which increases the risk of stomach cancer.

When it comes to heart disease and premature deaths, some studies suggest that consuming too much salt increases blood pressure, stiffens your blood vessels, and increases your risk of heart disease and premature death. However, more research is necessary to confirm this.

Eating Too Much Salt

While salt overdoses are rare, you should still try to limit your salt intake, especially if you have heart disease, liver disease, or kidney disease. The biggest contributor to high salt intake is not table salt but processed foods (e.g.: frozen foods, deli meat, canned soups, etc.).

3 Keys to Better Heart Health: Diet, Exercise, and SleepIf you consume too much salt, then start drinking sufficient amounts of water to regain your body’s sodium-to-water ratio. You can also eat potassium-rich foods and reduce the amount of salt you consume at other meals to try to compensate.

However, your goal should be to limit your overall salt intake, especially if you want a strong and healthy heart. If you need an extra boost to your heart health, consider taking supplements like HeartBeet Complete.

Its ingredients work together to support circulation, blood pressure, energy levels, and more. Give your health the help it deserves by limiting your salt consumption and by taking HeartBeet Complete.