Just How Dangerous Are Salt and Sugar? The Answer May Surprise You!

We all know how important certain foods are in keeping us healthy, but there are two things you'll see in nearly every cupboard that continually get a bad rap: salt and sugar. Just how dangerous are these elements when it comes to your health? The answer might surprise you! It seems one (or both) are contained in almost everything you eat, and just the thought of eliminating one or the other from your daily regimen may send some people into a state of panic. But if you knew what these two elements are really doing to your body, you might reconsider.

Sugar – Why is it Bad?

Knowledge of the adverse effects of sugar on health reaches as far back as the 1950s when Dr. William Coda Martin launched a battle against the refined sugars present in foods and drinks. His main claim was that the sugar people were adding to things such as tea, coffee and other foods was stripped of its vital accompanying minerals and vitamins that our bodies need to fully digest it. In its refined state, sugar represents nothing but pure “naked” carbohydrates without any nutritional value. These carbohydrates are often not digested properly (again, due to the lack of accompanying vitamins and minerals) and form pyruvic acid which accumulates in the brain as well as the nervous system and interferes with the respiration of cells.

The problem is exacerbated when the body has to rectify the damage done by taking vitamins and minerals from your bones, teeth and various organs which, in effect, weakens them and leads to decay and depleted strength. And it doesn’t stop there. If not the direct cause, then sugar may be deemed complicit in any of the following (and these are but a few of a very, very long list):

• A weakening of the immune system, making the body vulnerable to diseases
• Increase of bad cholesterol and a reduction of good cholesterol
• Supplies cancerous cells with energy and has been linked with the development of a number of cancers
• An impairment of vision
• Obesity
• Premature aging
• Can cause gallstones, appendicitis, hemorrhoids and even varicose veins.

Avoiding the Salt Trap

In recent years a vast number of reports have been compiled on the dangers of consuming too much salt. Salt is a chemical compound (Sodium Chloride) that your body needs to function properly, yet has the ability to serve as a cause for concern.

To highlight some of the possible dangers of too much salt, we’ve come up with the following list:

• Water retention, bloat and swelling of the feet and/or legs
• A potassium deficiency (which can cause cramps and heart problems)
• Loss of calcium in kidneys and even kidney disease
• High blood pressure
• Weight gain (as it may increase the appetite)
• Dizziness
• And many more

The problem is that salt is already present in most of the foods you eat. Ketchup, for example contains on average about 4 grams of salt per 100 ml, exactly the maximum daily recommended amount. And when you consider that many of the foods you eat with the ketchup contain salt as well (such as French fries or meat), you soon realize that the daily limit is already exceeded with the first bite! In fact, most nutritionists estimate that Americans eat double the amount of salt than is recommended.

When considering the negative effects these two food elements can have on your health, it’s important to pay attention to how much of both you’re getting on a daily basis. The problem is both of them have the ability to cause physical addiction which means you may be more dependent on them than previously thought.

The key lies in examining the packaging of the types of food you buy and doing a bit of research on the foods that don’t necessarily come with any nutritional information. With a bit of elementary math skills, you should be able to regulate your daily sugar and salt intake and avoid any potential health concerns.