Why Too Much Salt Can Be Bad for You

Do you reach for a saltshaker whenever food hits the table? If so, you may be putting your long-term health at risk with every extra sprinkle.

Overconsumption of sodium, which is in salt, is a driving force behind life-threatening health issues like heart disease and stroke. Research shows that people take in far more salt and sodium than they need, too.

“Everyone should be aware of how much salt they’re eating and how it affects them,” says registered dietitian Julia Zumpano, RD, LD.

Here’s why.

Is salt bad for you?

Ready for a surprise? The basic answer to that question is no. Salt truly isn’t unhealthy unless you eat too much of it.

What’s too much? We’ll get to that. But first, let’s take a closer look at why salt can be good.

Two minerals — sodium (40%) and chloride (60%) ­— are the building blocks of salt. Consider them the king and queen of electrolytes that work to keep your body running. You need them to survive.

Sodium and chloride are elements that help you maintain fluid levels and turn nutrients into energy. They also support heart rhythm, brain function and muscle control.

But consuming too much sodium can be … well, deadly, cautions Zumpano. A diet high in sodium can increase your blood pressure and heighten your risk for heart disease and stroke, which are leading causes of death worldwide.

What happens if you eat too much salt?

A salt- and sodium-heavy diet makes you retain fluid, which can lead to swelling in the short term.

But far more concerning is its impact on your body over time, says Zumpano. Excess salt and sodium can negatively affect your kidney function, in addition to driving up your blood pressure.

Signs your salt intake is too high include:

Bloating

Sodium attracts water. If you eat a lot of salty foods, you’ll experience fluid retention (when sodium holds water in your body). The result? You feel swollen and look puffier, especially around your abdomen and eyes. You may also notice swelling in your hands and feet.

Increased thirst

Recent research shows that higher levels of sodium won’t necessarily cause people to be thirstier. But despite that, some people can’t help but chug down more liquids after eating salty foods.

High blood pressure

Sodium is primarily found in your blood, where it pulls in fluid. If you eat too much sodium, more water enters your bloodstream. The greater volume of blood pushes against blood vessel walls, causing high blood pressure (hypertension).

Poor sleep quality

Eating too much sodium (especially in the evening) can mess with your sleep. A spike in blood pressure and sudden urges to get a drink or pee can interrupt your ZZZs.

How much sodium is too much?

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recommends that healthy adults consume less than 2,300 milligrams of sodium a day. For reference, that’s equal to about one teaspoon of table salt.

“If you eat more than that in one day, it’s not going to hurt you,” says Zumpano. “But if you consistently exceed the recommended amount, you’re eating too much — and it can impact your health.”

And for most people, getting too much sodium is a problem.

Researcher says that high sodium intake is a health concern shared worldwide. (Americans consume an average of 3,400 mg of sodium per day. That’s about 48% above the recommended amount.)

How to flush sodium out of your system

Need to rid your system of excess sodium after overdoing it on salty food? Here are three ways to get the job done.

• Sweat it out. Your body naturally removes sodium through sweat. (That’s why sweat tastes a little salty.) A sweaty workout or sitting in a sauna can draw out excess sodium one drip at a time.
• Hydrate. Your body also flushes out excess sodium through your kidneys and urine. Guzzling down enough water can help move that process along.
• Eat foods high in potassium. Potassium works to counteract some of sodium’s effects on your body. Foods high in potassium include avocados, bananas, potatoes, spinach, tomatoes and oranges.

Can too little sodium be a problem?

You need a minimum of 1,500 mg of sodium a day, clarifies Zumpano. Falling below that can lead to low blood pressure and electrolyte imbalances.

Signs of too little sodium include:

• Dizziness.
• Headache.
• Lack of energy.
• Muscle fatigue.
• Nausea.

But again, too little sodium is typically not an issue given people’s eating habits.

Final thoughts

There’s no question that eating too much salt is bad for your health. Making a conscious effort to manage the sodium in your diet can help keep your blood pressure down and reduce your risk for heart disease and stroke.

Plus, you’ll just feel better not dealing with bloating and other issues connected to excess salt and sodium. “That’s definitely a win-win situation,” encourages Zumpano.