For years, I have wondered why there is such a big deal about salt WalMart. Recently, I went to the stores across the street from my house, and I was surprised to see a whole display of salt. This store sells about one hundred and fifty different varieties, including table salt and beach salt. The varieties are so varied, it’s amazing. Of course, that’s not the only question you might ask yourself about salt Walmart, because there are many health benefits associated with salt.
Salt, just like other refined foods that we commonly consume in massive amounts, can raise our blood pressure. High blood pressure is known as “hypertension.” Most people associate hypertension with conditions such as heart disease and strokes, but it can also occur as a result of excessive salt consumption. One of the first things you may ask if you are concerned about your blood pressure is, “Why does salt cause hypertension?”
Here’s how it works. When you eat food, your body has to work extra hard to process it. Processed food slows down the metabolism of the body, and salt (and other refined salts) contains very high levels of sodium. This causes an increase in blood pressure. People who are prone to hypertension should limit salt intake, because eating too much salt raises your blood pressure. Below, I have listed some of the diseases that can be caused by salt consumption that you should be aware of.
Heart Disease – High blood pressure can lead to a heart attack or stroke, which is the number one cause of death in the United States. It is a condition that is called “coronary artery disease.” High blood pressure can decrease the amount blood flows through the coronary arteries, which means smaller blood vessels in your heart. Salt increases blood pressure in several ways.
First, salt contains magnesium. Magnesium is used by the body to help regulate blood pressure. In addition, salt contains potassium, another element that regulates blood pressure. This means that people with high blood pressure are likely to have problems with potassium and salt balance, so they need to watch their salt intake. Another way salt affects your blood pressure is by making it harder for the arteries to relax and widen. Salty reduces the activity of both arteries and heart.
Kidney Disease – The kidneys are the organ that removes excess salt from the bloodstream, and people who have kidney disease are at high risk for hypertension. Sodium helps the kidneys process glucose, which is a major component of blood volume. If there is too much salt in your bloodstream, your blood vessels are not able to transport enough blood to get rid of excess glucose, which leads to blood pressure problems. In addition, salt affects the function and growth of blood cells. It can reduce the production of red blood cells and increase platelet count.
Heart Attack – Blood pressure increases along with cholesterol levels when you have a heart attack. High blood pressure forces your heart to pump harder, causing it to work harder, and increases the buildup of fatty plaques on artery walls. The build-up of fat in arteries results in atherosclerosis, which is a thickening of the artery walls. The result of all this plaque buildup can be the enlargement of the heart vessels.
All of the above can cause heart attacks, stroke, and other health issues, so reducing salt intake through diet is an important step towards a healthier life. There are many easy ways to do this. One easy method is to always leave a full can of salad in the fridge. Also, reduce your salt intake through diet by half a pound each day.
