Published on July 20, 2023
Even if you never touch a salt shaker, it doesn’t mean you’re not eating a ton of salt. You may be surprised at how many of the foods you eat at home, as well as the foods you eat out, are loaded with salt.
Healthy levels of salt in the body helps keep our blood pressure under control and ensures that our muscles and nerves function properly.
However, our kidneys have trouble processing excess sodium, causing our bodies to retain water. That puts more pressure on blood vessels and makes more work for the heart. This can lead to high blood pressure (a leading cause of cardiovascular disease), heart attack, and stroke, among other things.
When it comes to weight loss and control, remember:
📌 Salty foods increase thirst, and many people quench that thirst with beverages packed with calories.
📌 When your body retains water, that means bloating and puffiness — which shows up on the scale.
