Dangerous consequences: This is what happens when you consume too much salt

That is why many people underestimate the danger of salt

Many people underestimate the risks posed by salt. Too much salt can lead to high blood pressure, negatively affect the immune system, impair bone health and increase the risk of cardiovascular disease.

In addition, the kidneys are put under a lot of strain because they have to remove the excess salt and the intestinal flora can also be disturbed by too much salt.

But you shouldn’t completely avoid salt either, because when consumed in moderation it is vital for human survival. Salt regulates water balance and is important for digestion and muscles. The consequences of a salt deficiency, known as hyponatremia, range from headaches, nausea, apathy to seizures.

Why do we need salt?

Table salt contains sodium, chloride and potassium. The body needs these electrolytes to maintain water and electrolyte balance and to ensure tissue tone.

Sodium and potassium play an important role in the functioning of nerves and muscles. The minerals enable the build-up of electrical voltage on the cell membranes and thus the transmission of nerve impulses. These, in turn, are important for muscle contractions, heart function and the regulation of blood pressure.

Chloride is a component of stomach acid and plays an important role in the production of proteins and glycogen.

This is how much salt per day is still healthy

The German Nutrition Society (DGE) recommends that adults eat six grams of salt a day. However, the average German consumes far more than this recommendation, at just 10 grams. That’s too much of a good thing.

The kidneys work at full speed to excrete the excess salt. A lot of water is lost in the process. If you drink too little, you can expect blood vessel constriction, which in turn leads to high blood pressure. If the water balance is not replenished in time, vomiting and diarrhea are not uncommon. In severe cases, a lack of water can even cause heart and respiratory problems.

What happens if you eat too much salt?

1. Constant thirst: After a salty meal, thirst quickly sets in. The body urgently needs fluids to restore the water-salt balance. It is important to drink enough water.
2. Puffy face: If your face is puffy when you get up, it could be due to your salt consumption. Too much salt binds water in the body, which then collects in the cells. This is particularly noticeable around the eyes and cheeks.
3. Increased weight: If you consume a lot of salt, you will notice that the number on the scales increases. This is not due to fat deposits, but rather water retention. Simply reduce your salt consumption to dissolve the water retention.
4. Disturbed taste buds: If you keep adding salt to your food, you will need more and more salt to enhance the taste. Your taste buds will become dulled. This means that simple foods like fresh vegetables quickly taste bland. But don’t worry, if you do without the extra salt for a while, you will return to a normal sense of taste.
5. Headache: Headaches can have many causes, one of which is too much salt. Salt causes blood vessels to dilate, which can cause a stabbing or throbbing sensation in the temples.
6. Immune system: At a Experiment on mice Researchers fed one group a high-salt diet and another a low-salt diet. The results showed that mice with a low-salt diet had more immune cells and were better protected against diseases.
7. Kidney stones: Too much salt and too little water can cause crystals to form in the urine. The salts build up on top of each other, which can lead to painful kidney stones over time. If smaller kidney stones have already formed, it helps to drink a lot of water and exercise to flush out the stones. If that doesn’t help, you should urgently see a doctor.
8. Bloated stomach: If you eat too much salt and don’t drink enough water to balance your fluid levels, you’ll end up with a bloated stomach. The excess sodium disrupts your fluid levels. Water enters the cells and causes a bulging stomach.
9. Sleep disorders: Too much salt can lead to restless sleep, frequent waking during the night and consequently a feeling of restlessness in the morning. This can happen especially if you eat too much salt in the evening.

How dangerous is hidden salt

A diet high in salt is less about the salt added during cooking and more about the salt found in processed foods. Processed foods such as sausage and pizza contain much more salt than you might think.

According to the Consumer Center Just 100 grams of salmon ham contains over 6 grams of salt – the recommended daily ration.

If you want to eat a lower-salt diet, try to cook as fresh foods as possible and avoid ready meals.

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