Have you ever wondered about your salt intake? A study conducted in Japan has associated night-time toilet trips with a high salt diet. According to this study, if you suddenly notice an increase in your loo trips at night, it might be due to an excessive amount of salt intake. But don’t worry, you are not alone. According to research, the intake of salt on average should be below 6g; however, almost all individuals consume up to 7.2g daily, which is not good.
An excessive amount of salt consumption can lead to an increase in blood pressure levels. The excessive amount of salt levels can, in the long run, result in osteoporosis and other such chronic illnesses. Hence, it is essential to regulate your daily salt consumption to an amount below 6g.
Contents
Frequent Toilet Visits
Frequent visits to the loo irrespective of the time of the day is a classic sign of excessive salt consumption; however, it is also suitable to mention that this condition is not limited to salt consumption. Frequent toilet visits can also be due to overactive bladder, infection in the urinary tract, and type 2 diabetes. While it may seem ordinary, you might want to consult a GP if you notice a significant change in your everyday urinary habits.
Constantly Thirsty
If you feel that your throat is constantly dry and experiencing cotton mouth despite frequent water intake, you might be going a little overboard on the salt. This is due to the basic osmosis concept. An excess amount of salt in your body draws water from your cell, which in turn fires up the signal that notifies your brain of the need for water in the form of thirst. But similar to frequent urination, constant thirst may be due to other reasons, such as type 2 diabetes.
A Lot Of Processed Food And Takeout
Canned food, processed food, takeaways, etc., consists of a lot of salt. If your diet is such that it consists of a lot of such processed items, then it won’t matter what you do; you will not be able to keep your salt intake in check. So the first step would be to get rid of these food products and start eating whole foods. Try and cook at home; this way, you control what you eat and how much salt you consume.
Puffy Under-eye Bags
It is simple logic if you eat excess salt, your body will require excessive water to balance it out, leading to bloating. It is important to note that under-eye puffiness can be due to other reasons as well, but excess salt is a primary reason behind such conditions.
Swollen Ankles
Edema: Fluid retention. Let us note the process. You end up consuming a lot of salty food; your body’s next step is to demand water, hence the dry mouth. After you drink a lot of water due to the constant thirst, you will, without a doubt, end up being bloated. This is because your body does not require this excessive amount of water; it is due to the salt that you end up feeling thirsty without actually being thirsty. This water retention can then be observed around your ankles and your eyes when you lay down. Other factors may lead to swollen ankles, but salt intake is the most common.
Your Rings Are A Bit Tight
Does your ring feel a little too tight lately? This is another sign of excessive salt intake. Your fingers and other body areas tend to swell, which can be observed on the hands.
Normal Food Feels Bland
After eating high salt, your taste buds end up being used to the taste. So whatever you eat after will not taste the same. You might feel that the food you eat lacks flavor and is a bit too bland.
Craving Salty And Savory Items
Since your food feels bland and restless, you are automatically craving salty and savory food items to feel some taste. According to a study, it only takes a little over three weeks for your taste buds to recover after you decide to cut back on your salt intake.
Conclusion
There you have eight signs that indicate an excessive salt level in your body. There might be other reasons behind some symptoms, but consistency with all the mentioned symptoms points to excessive salt intake.
