Salt plays an important role in several functions of your body. It helps to maintain fluid balance, nerve function and muscle contraction. Salt is primarily composed of sodium chloride which is an an essential mineral for the human body. The World Health Organisation (WHO) recommends that adults consume less than 2000 mg/day of sodium (equivalent to less than 5 g/day salt (just under a teaspoon) in a day.

However, a lot of people tend to consume high amounts of salt. This can impact your health severely, especially the heart. Therefore, it is important that you consume salt according to recommended levels.

Consuming more than 5 grams of salt a day can lead your body to retain more water. This excess fluid increases your blood pressure, thereby, increasing the workload on your heart and arteries. And this eventually leads to hypertension.

The kidneys filter excess salt out of the blood. When you consume too much salt, your kidneys have to work harder and over time, this can reduce their efficiency. This might also lead to fluid retention, swelling and increase the risk of kidney disease.

High salt intake causes the body to hold onto more water, thereby, causing water retention. This results in bloating, puffiness and discomfort, especially in the hands, feet and face.

Excessive salt leads to high blood pressure which is a major risk factor for heart disease and stroke. Over time, the added pressure on blood vessels and the heart can increase the risk of cardiovascular events.

Sodium is an essential electrolyte that helps balance fluids in your body. Too much salt can impact this balance, causing symptoms such as headaches, confusion and muscle cramps.

High salt intake can cause your body to use water from your cells to balance sodium levels. This can leave you feeling thirsty and dehydrated, as your body tries to balance for the excess salt.

Consuming excess salt can lead to calcium loss through urination. Over time, this can weaken bones and increase the risk of osteoporosis, especially, in older adults as calcium is important for maintaining bone health.

High salt intake has also been linked to an increased risk of stomach problems, including gastric cancer. Excess salt can impact the inner lining of the stomach and help in the growth of H. pylori bacteria which is linked with stomach ulcers and cancer.

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