Why salt is bad for your health?

Salt results in water retention in some areas of the body. This can lead to puffy eyes and a larger belly (See why you should drink more water).

Salt is known to increase blood pressure. High blood pressure can cause strokes, heart failure and heart attacks.

Osteoporosis or the thinning of bones can be caused by a diet that is high in salt. A high salt diet can erode some of the bone calcium and result in thinner and weaker bones (See how to have stronger bones).

Salt can damage the stomach lining thus making the stomach more vulnerable to the bacteria that already exists in it. This in turn can lead to stomach ulcers and stomach cancer.

Both high blood pressure and high levels of sodium (coming from salt) can lower the kidney's efficiency to clean the body, cause kidney problems and might ultimately lead to kidney failure. Salt has also been linked to the formation of kidney stones.

Some studies have found a connection between salt and the build up of extra weight. Salt might be one of the factors that cause obesity.

Because it results in increased blood pressure, salt can increase the risk of diabetes.

The high blood pressure caused by salt can lead to thicker arteries with lower radii. This leads to higher blood pressure which forces the cycle to start again. Over time, the arteries can become totally blocked or maybe even burst.

Salt can cause vascular dementia, a condition where less blood reach the brain and make it function with less power. Because salt increases the blood pressure it can damage the arteries feeding the brain and so result in brain problems.

Salt can weaken the skin by affecting collagen. This can ease the formation of wrinkles and make a person look older than he truly is (See how to slow down aging).

Salt is also believed worsen the symptoms of Asthma & Alzheimer's disease.