Nutrition-Facts

Why do salty foods make headaches? this is the medical explanation

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Dizziness and headaches are very common symptoms for anyone. According to a survey conducted by Harvard Health Publication, almost 90 percent of cases of headaches and dizziness have no known cause. However, if your headaches have recurred lately, maybe this is the time to pay more attention to what you eat every day. Especially if you really like to eat salty food.

Yes! Salty foods can be one reason you like headaches. Why is that? So, how much salty or salt food can be consumed in one day so as not to cause headaches?

Why do you often eat salty foods to make your head hurt?

Salty foods as a "unique" cause of headaches have even been confirmed and proven by many studies. One of them is research conducted by experts from Johns Hopkins Medicine.

In the study, study participants were divided into two groups. The first group was given foods high in salt (about 8 grams of sodium per day), while the second group only consumed 4 grams of sodium.

The trial was carried out for 30 days and at the end of the study it was found that the group with the higher sodium dose reported more frequent dizziness or headaches than the other group.

Why is that?

Sodium is a mineral substance that the body needs. However, when consumed in excess and the amount builds up in the bloodstream, the effect can narrow blood vessels. Eventually, blood pressure will increase.

This irregular blood flow will reduce the intake of oxygenated blood to the brain. A brain that is deprived of oxygen cannot function optimally. Well, this condition causes headaches after eating salty foods.

How many salty foods can I eat in one day?

For those of you who are healthy and don't have a history of any disease, it's actually okay to use salt in cooking. However, the numbers must still be considered.

The Ministry of Health recommends using a maximum of 1 tablespoon of salt or the equivalent of 6 grams in one day. Meanwhile, for people who are healthy and do not have certain health conditions, the limit of sodium consumption in one day is less than 2300 mg. If you do not want to have high blood pressure or have a sudden heart attack, you should obey these recommendations and do not exceed the limit.

If you have a history of certain chronic diseases, such as heart disease, impaired kidney function, and high blood pressure, your sodium limit may be different. The reason is, sodium can affect your health condition.

In addition, keep in mind that sodium is not only in salt, but most packaged foods must have sodium in it. The aforementioned limits also include the sodium you consume from packaged foods or drinks, not just from salt alone. So, you also have to limit packaged foods and drinks, if you don't want frequent headaches.


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Why do salty foods make headaches? this is the medical explanation
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