Salt is an indispensable kitchen ingredient that enhances the flavor of food. However, consuming too much salt can take a toll on your health and lead to various health problems such as hypertension, stroke, heart disease, and kidney disease.

Let’s take a look at the 10 indications that you consume excessive salt.

1. Frequent urge to urinate

Consuming excessive salt can lead to dehydration, which can result in frequent urination. High salt intake increases the amount of sodium in your bloodstream that makes your kidneys work overtime to excrete the excess sodium.

This can lead to frequent urination and a constant urge to urinate.

2. Swelling of hands and feet

Excessive salt consumption can lead to water retention or edema, which can cause swelling of the hands and feet. This is because sodium attracts water and accumulates fluid in the body. The swelling may start in the feet and gradually move upwards.

3. High blood pressure

Salt consumption is directly related to blood pressure. High salt intake causes an increase in blood volume, which puts pressure on the blood vessels and leads to hypertension.

If left untreated, high blood pressure can lead to various complications such as heart disease, stroke, and kidney disease.

4. Constant thirst

Consuming too much salt can make you feel thirsty all the time. This is because the body tries to restore the salt balance by diluting the salt in your bloodstream with water.

The more salt you consume, the more water you need to drink to maintain the salt balance, which leads to constant thirst.

5. Fatigue and weakness

Excessive salt intake can lead to dehydration and an imbalance in electrolytes such as potassium and magnesium. This can cause fatigue, weakness, and muscle cramps.

Electrolytes play a crucial role in maintaining the body’s fluid balance and transmitting nerve impulses.

6. Headaches and migraines

High salt intake can cause blood vessels to constrict, which can lead to headaches and migraines. This is because the blood vessels in the brain are more sensitive to changes in sodium levels in the bloodstream.

Reducing salt intake can help prevent headaches and migraines.

7. Kidney stones

Consuming too much salt can lead to the formation of kidney stones. High salt intake increases the amount of calcium in the urine, which can cause calcium-based kidney stones.

These stones can cause excruciating pain and require medical intervention to remove them.

8. Digestive problems

Excessive salt consumption can irritate the digestive system and lead to various digestive problems. It can cause bloating, gas, indigestion, and constipation.

High salt intake can also lead to the development of stomach ulcers, which can cause pain and discomfort.

9. Increased risk of osteoporosis

High salt intake can increase calcium excretion through urine, leading to reduced bone density and an increased risk of osteoporosis. Osteoporosis is a condition that weakens bones and makes them more prone to fractures.

10. Foul breath and body odor

Consuming excessive salt can lead to dry mouth, which can cause foul breath and body odor. Salt also affects the pH levels in the mouth and can lead to the growth of bacteria that cause bad breath.

Lowering salt intake can improve oral health and reduce bad breath.