Excess sodium intake can negatively affect your kidney function. But far more concerning is its impact on your body over time. Effects of eating too much saltĪ sodium-heavy diet makes you retain fluid, which leads to swelling in the short term. Only elite athletes or people who profusely sweat could possibly need this much sodium. Most Americans consume about 3,400 milligrams of sodium a day. “But if you consistently exceed the recommended amount, you’re eating too much, and it can impact your health.” “If you eat more than that in one day, it’s not going to hurt you,” says Zumpano. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recommends that adults eat less than 2,300 milligrams of sodium a day. The only difference is that some varieties may have other beneficial minerals, notes Zumpano. And no matter what kind of table salt you add to your food at home - iodized salt, sea salt, kosher salt or Himalayan pink salt - it’s all the same when it comes to the amount of sodium it contains. It’s in many foods that Americans frequently eat.

Signs of too little sodium include:īut for most people, getting enough sodium isn’t a concern. Going below that leads to low blood pressure and electrolyte imbalances in your blood. You need a minimum of 1,500 milligrams of sodium a day, says Zumpano. In small amounts, it helps your nerves and muscles function properly and balances fluid in your body. Sodium is what can negatively affect your health if you consume too much.īut your body also needs sodium to survive. Salt is composed of two minerals - about 40% sodium and 60% chloride. Here’s the deal: Salt and sodium aren’t the same things.

Salt isn’t unhealthy unless you eat too much of it. She explains how salt impacts your body and the ways you can scale back without sacrificing flavor. “Everyone should be aware of how much salt they’re eating and how it affects them,” says registered dietitian Julia Zumpano, RD, LD. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services.

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Salt & Storm by Kendall Kulper