Many of the preservatives and additives commonly used in the food industry contain sodium. Of course, it's fine to rely on some processed foods, especially in seasons of the year and locations where fresh foods are not available year-round. But an overabundance, or reliance on these types of food products leads to excess salt in our diets. Health Risks with Excess Amounts Consuming too much sodium can put you at risk for or hasten the course of a variety of chronic diseases. For example, a high sodium diet can cause more calcium to come out in urine, hastening osteoporosis .
Excess sodium can also elevate blood pressure in salt-sensitive people.
High blood pressure, otherwise known as hypertension, is a common health problem among people in Westernized countries. Furthermore, hypertension is recognized as a risk factor for coronary heart disease. Coronary heart disease is a major cause of death for both women and men in Westernized countries. The first step in avoiding these risks is to be aware of where the major sources of sodium are coming from in your own diet and limit these selections. Not all exercises or diets are suitable for everyone.