Why too much salt is bad for you

The link between sodium and blood pressure is fairly well known. But did you know sodium can also affect your sleep? With too much salt in your bloodstream you may not sleep well that night — and feel tired or groggy the next day. Not a surprise considering how much sodium can be in just a few slices of pizza. If topped with pepperoni or other toppings — the sodium content will be even higher. The more control you have over your eating habits, by reducing your salt intake and eating more whole, unprocessed foods, the more likely you will lower your risk for heart disease and sleep better at night — which will lead to feeling better every day.

The result may be restless sleep, frequent awakenings and not feeling rested in the morning. Learn more about vaccine availability. Advertising Policy. Find out the daily salt recommendations for adults, children and babies and learn how to use nutrition labels to spot the salt in food. A diet high in salt or sodium can cause raised blood pressure, which can increase your risk of heart disease and stroke. High blood pressure often has no symptoms, and many people who have high blood pressure do not know it.

For tips on how to cut down on salt, read Tips for a lower-salt diet. If a baby is breastfed, they will get the right amount of minerals, including sodium, from breast milk. Formula milk contains a similar amount of minerals to breast milk. Do not add salt to your baby's milk or food and do not use stock cubes or gravy in meals for your baby as they're often high in salt and their kidneys cannot cope with it.

Remember this when you're cooking for the family if you plan to give the same food to your baby. Avoid giving your baby salty foods such as bacon, sausages, crackers, crisps, ready meals or takeaways as these are often high in salt. Food manufactured specifically for babies should meet the recommended levels. If in doubt, always check food labels. In the UK labels on pre-packed food must say how much salt they contain.

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