Are you eating too much salt? If you eat too much salt, this can lead to consequences for your health. In order to function properly, your body depends on salt, which is a vital mineral. Most people do not need to worry about getting enough salt since the modern diet is often overloaded with this mineral.
Overconsumption of processed foods and fast foods loaded with salt have caused many people to suffer from health problems such as high blood pressure, kidney disease, congestive heart failure, stroke, and heart disease. How do you determine if you are consuming more salt than your body can handle?
Ask yourself are you eating too much salt
- Is your daily diet heavy on processed and fast foods? If you answer yes to this question, you can be almost certain that you are getting far too much salt in your diet. Salt is added to canned foods and other processed foods in order to preserve them so that they have a longer shelf life. Fast foods are also made with excessive amounts of salt
- Do you experience bloating? If you are eating too much salt, your body will work to dilute the salt with water to balance out your system. This tends to cause bloating
- Do you experience excessive thirst often? If you are eating too much salt, you are likely to experience excessive thirst. Keep in mind that excessive thirst can also be a sign of other conditions such as diabetes
- Do you have high blood pressure? You may not realize that you have high blood pressure unless you receive a blood test. If your doctor finds that you do have high blood pressure, it is important to reduce your intake of salt as part of the treatment regimen.
A careful assessment of your daily diet will determine whether or not changes need to be made. A diet that is rich in fresh foods, low in processed foods, includes plenty of water, and incorporates other healthy choices will decrease your risk of health problems associated with the overconsumption of salt.
If you have questions about healthy salt intake contact your local doctor, who will arrange for you to see a dietitian and nutritionist.
For more information read the related article How much Salt Should You Be Eating?
