potassium, calcium, and other minerals —
together with physical exercise that conditions
the whole cardiovascular system.
Effects on Kidneys, Bones, and the
Digestive System Excess sodium is absorbed
from the blood and excreted by the kidneys,
which help regulate many body systems. High
sodium levels thus have the potential for
having indirect effects on those systems.
There’s evidence that they can cause loss of
bone calcium and thus increase our dietary
calcium requirement, as well as worsening
chronic kidney disease.
Though our bodies have ways of diluting
and excreting excessive doses of salt, eating
salty foods exposes the surfaces of our
digestive system to potentially cell-damaging
concentrations. There is evidence from China
and elsewhere in Asia that diets high in salt
increase the risk of several cancers of the
digestive system.