Last Updated on January 10, 2021
3. Prevent Liver Damage
A couple of medical studies have recently suggested that consuming excessive amounts of salt may potentially lead to liver damage. The experts believe that high amounts of sodium could be responsible for higher rates of liver cell death and lower rates of cell division, as well as the formation of weirdly shaped cells, which in turn can lead to liver damage and fibrosis. Considering that these findings are still very recent, it is necessary to wait for further research to provide more accurate insights regarding salt’s impact on the liver.
4. Feel Less Bloated
If you get too much sodium, your organism will make some adjustments to keep electrolyte levels balanced. One of those adjustments will be precisely to try to retain as much water as possible, making you experience bloating and swelling. The fact that diets high in sodium became the new standard might be why bloating is one of the most reported gastrointestinal complaints in the USA. It’s also worth noting that fluid retention might also impact your motivation and overall energy levels. So, if you’ve been experiencing this symptom lately, you should consider reducing your salt intake.
5. Help You Lose Weight
As we have just mentioned, cutting your salt intake will make your body stop retaining water to balance electrolyte levels. In the short term, this will result in a noticeable reduction in water weight. But that’s not all. More often than not, diets high in salt are based on carbohydrates and processed fried foods. In other orders, these diets are tremendously unhealthy and highly caloric. This means that changing to a low-sodium diet might be enough to lose some weight.
6. Fewer Headaches
The impact that sodium has on blood pressure might be responsible for headaches and migraines. A study published in the BMJ Open journal in 2014 found that people who eat too much sodium have a higher risk of headache, regardless of their specific diet. Why does this happen? The experts believe that blood vessels in the brain have to expand due to the increased blood pressure caused by high sodium intake, thus leading to headaches.
