For years doctors have been telling their patients to watch their salt intake – especially those with high blood pressure. And although it's almost accepted as fact that too much salt is unhealthy, the reason why isn't so clearly understood.
To help educate you, SciShow, a YouTube channel dedicated to answering real life questions with science, explained what scientists believe happens inside your body after eating too much salt.
We already know that humans need sodium (which is found in both table and kosher salts) so the substance isn't all bad. Because so much of it is found in all kinds of food, salt is practically unavoidable. However, as the video points out, about 90 percent of Americans eat more than the recommended 2300 milligrams per day — and it can even cause you to overeat.
Here's exactly what happens when you sprinkle your dinner with salt: Sodium enters your bloodstream and brings water with it to keep the sodium concentration balanced. But this increase in water leads to a higher overall pressure in your cardiovascular system (i.e. high blood pressure).
After living for an extended amount of time with high blood pressure, blood vessels become more susceptible to damage and little pockets of plaque develop. The plaque is bad news for your heart because that means it has to work harder just to get blood from one place to another.
Basically, too much salt makes your heart work harder and eventually it'll get tired. Or the plaque will form a complete blockage in the vessel, which could lead to strokes, sexual dysfunction, and dementia. To avoid all of this, remember that moderation is key.
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