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Though salt is one of the most commonly used spices to flavor our foods, it may be worse for you than you think. Not only does salt cause cardiovascular disease, strokes, and coronary artery disease, but it causes weight gain and water retention.

The British Medical Journal recently published a study that backs the claims that salt may cause heart attacks and cardiovascular diseases. They looked at over 3,000 people with high blood pressure and found that salt consumption could be the culprit for 25% or more of heart attacks. The study also followed up with people who stuck to salt reduced diet. Researchers concluded that these people were much healthier and were up to 20% less likely to die from cardiovascular conditions. So why does salt contribute to cardiovascular disease? It is composed of sodium and chloride. Sodium is what causes vessels to tighten and reduce blood flow throughout the body, making the heart work harder than it should be. Salt not only contributes to high blood pressure and heart disease, but is not good for promoting a lean body image either. The more salt that you consume the more water is retained by the body. The excess sodium is deposited and stored under the skin, attracting a layer of water that can look like fat. Eating less salt and drinking large amounts of water will ensure your body looks as lean as possible.

The average person should not eat more than 500 mg of salt per day but many people consume up to 40000 mg! To cut out as much salt as possible from your diet you need to be highly aware of what you are consuming. Cut out processed, frozen, and most canned foods as many contain extremely high amounts of sodium that is unnecessary. Always read labels on foods before you buy them. Lastly, be creative in your cooking. Fresh herbs and spices can add just as much flavor as salt does without the health risks.