Consequences of excess salt and sugar

    Salt and sugar are both used to add taste in our meals, without which our meals are tasteless. Salt and sugar also regulates various metabolic functions in the body such as our blood pressure, blood sugar levels etc. Like most foods and nutrients, they can be helpful in small amounts. However, if you consume too much salt and sugar, you may put yourself at risk for health complications like heart disease and diabetes.

EXCESS SALTS
    The human body only needs about 3.8 grams of salt per day, but most people consume closer to 7 grams daily. The sodium in salt influences the volume of liquids retained by the body outside the cells. This determines blood volume, which in turn regulates blood pressure. On the other hand the chlorine in salt becomes a part of the acid in our stomach with helps in digestion.

1)      Too much salt lead to high blood pressure

2)      Raises  your risk of heart problems

3)      Too much sodium, one of the components of salt, may cause hypertension

4)      It would gradually lead to a stroke

EXCESS SUGAR
     Sugars are simple carbohydrates like glucose, fructose and sucrose. Fruits are naturally high in sugars and not necessarily bad for your body.

1)      Causes tooth decay, by fuelling the bacteria that causes cavity

2)      It makes your immune system not to function properly. If you eat sugar at every meal, it means that your immune system will be functioning at half-capacity for most of the day.

3)      Leads to weight gain .Extra sugar your body does not immediately require for energy can easily be converted to triglycerides, a type of fat that can then be stored around your waist as well as in your hips and thighs.

4)      Eating too much sugar can also result in the increase of insulin levels. The more sugar you eat, the more insulin your pancreas produces.

5)      It raises the risk of type 2 diabetes .One of the damaging effects of a diet high in sugar and other refined carbohydrates is that it puts you at risk for developing type 2 diabetes