Salt is a seasoning that’s almost always present in a recipe as this gives more flavor to your dishes. The right amount is needed for the regulation of bodily functions. However, people these days tend to consume sodium or salt more than what they need.

The USDA states that healthy adults should limit their sodium intake to 2,300 mg per day while those who have high blood pressure should consume much less, 1,500 mg per day. We can’t always measure the amount of salt that gets in the body. After all, sodium has a sneaky way of getting into your bloodstream. But here are telltale signs that clearly say you may be taking in too much salt.

#1. You have high blood pressure

The increase in sodium will result to increase in blood pressure since the body will then hold more fluid. This makes the heart work harder, which will then result in high blood pressure or hypertension.

#2. You feel groggy

Salt can affect your brain function. A Canadian study on sedentary adults in 2011 found that those who observed high-sodium diet had a higher risk of cognitive decline compared to those who had a low-sodium diet. Hypertension caused by high-sodium diet can damage the arteries in the brain, affecting the way you think.

#3. Kidney stones

Your kidneys are among the major organs affected by a high-sodium diet. Too much salt can increase protein in your urine, which is a risk factor for developing kidney disease.

#4. Excessive thirst

Too much salt messes up the balance of fluids in your body, which is why you may notice you’re thirstier than usual when you eat foods with high sodium content like chips. Excessive thirst after eating high-sodium foods all day is your body’s way of telling that the salt balance in cells needs to be restored by drinking more water.

#5. Stomach problems

Stomach ulcers have been linked to an excessive salt intake. According to this study, salt can be a factor that increases the risk of gastric problems like gastritis and stomach ulcers.

#6. Overdoing the salt shaker

The salt shaker may be a small thing and you think you’re sprinkling just enough salt to amp up the flavor of your food. But realize that it’s also easy to overuse the salt shaker and the amount can quickly add up without you noticing.

#7. Bloating

Edema, or the accumulation of fluids in cells of your body, may be a sign of an underlying disease but it can also be caused by too much salt intake. You will feel bloated and you also gain weight.

All these clear signs may point to high salt in your diet but don’t dismiss the possibility of another disease. It’s still best to see your doctor to know more about your health.