Salt is an essential mineral in the body for optimal muscle and nerve function, but it’s easy to have too much of it. Eating too much salt can lead to some serious health risks, so it’s important to be mindful of how much you’re including in your diet. Here are some signs you’re eating too much salt.
You’re Bloated
Have you been feeling bloated or puffy? It may be because you’re having too much salt. After consuming salt, you carry more water because your kidneys need to maintain a specific sodium-to-salt ratio. If you have a salty meal, make sure you drink water to flush out your system.
You’re Always Thirsty
We’re sure you already knew that eating salty foods can make you feel thirsty. This is probably the easiest sign to pick up on that you’re having too much salt. Make sure you drink water to correct your sodium-to-salt ratio.
Homemade Food is Bland
Processed and packaged foods like soups, snack foods, and frozen meals are loaded with sodium and whole foods like nuts, vegetables, and fruits are low in sodium. Restaurant foods are also full of sodium. When making home-cooked foods, you may realize they taste bland because you’re used to a certain amount of salt.
Your Blood Pressure is High
While genetics, weight, alcohol, and stress influence high blood pressure, salt also plays a huge part. A meal high in sodium can cause larger blood volume to flow through your blood vessels and arteries, resulting in a rise in blood pressure.
