Cramps are often a very good indicator of salt deficiency and usually occur initially in the calf muscle in our legs, most frequently at night when we are in bed. Sodium, together with calcium and magnesium also plays an important role in maintaining smooth nervous impulses. So, if we have too much or too little, but primarily too little, we will notice disturbances in those impulses. These can manifest not only as cramps but heart disturbances, or disturbances in our gut. As individuals, our requirements for salt differ enormously.
Water retention is often a sign of too much salt which can result from a variety of causes.
There is a large quantity of hidden salt in most processed or refined foods particularly, as well as in our infamous cola drinks. This produces an abnormally high level of sodium that will facilitate water retention and as a result, we can become quite hypertensive. This is an example of how we can artificially raise our salt levels and not be aware of it, hence the link of salt with stress and hypertension. Potassium is found in bananas, leafy green vegetables and citrus fruits. We need to sensibly consider our needs by regarding climatic conditions, physical activity, water retention and diet, before deciding how much salt we should or should not consume.