Salt allows your body to take in fresh fluids, eliminate fluid waste through your urine, and still stay in fluid balance. Fluid balance is important for many body functions, including maintaining blood pressure, avoiding dehydration, and keeping the kidneys healthy. Too much salt, however, can cause health problems. It can cause you to retain water, resulting in uncomfortable swelling of the hands, feet, and sometimes abdomen.
Some women are more salt-sensitive before their periods.
They are more likely to gain weight and have swelling and bloating from salt at this time. A serious problem related to too much salt is high blood pressure. High blood pressure increases your risk for heart disease and strokes. Approximately one third of people with high blood pressure in the United States are especially salt sensitive. This means that if they eat too much salt, it will cause or worsen high blood pressure.