How Does Eating Salt Make You Gain Weight?

A calorie-free additive, salt does not directly contribute to weight gain. When consumed in large amounts, it allows you to retain water, thus the temporary weight gain.

Salt/Sodium Debate

Though seemingly interchangeable, salt and sodium are not the same thing. Salt is typically added by either the manufacturer or the consumer during the cooking process, while sodium is a naturally-occurring product in a variety of foods. According to "Calories per Hour," adding table salt to food increases the total sodium amount by 40%.

Restaurant Warnings

Restaurants and other fast-food eateries use calorie-dense and fiber-poor food. These choices are laden with salt, so avoiding these options and sticking to high-fiber, nutrient-rich choices will put you on a path to avoid the bulge.

Water Retention

Salt triggers a thirst response. When large amounts of salt are in our bloodstream, the kidneys try hard to balance salinity. Thus, when large amounts of both salt and water are consumed, the human body is trying to regulate that salt/water balance and our skin, fingers, etc., tend to "puff up."

Health Risks

A high-salt diet can trigger hypertension and high blood pressure. When more salt and fluid are in the body, blood pressure increases. A reduced-sodium diet is crucial in keeping your blood pressure regulated.

DASH Diet

When reducing hypertension/high blood pressure, most doctors and dietitians recommend the DASH diet (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension). According to dashdiet.org, "In addition to being a low salt (or low sodium) plan, the DASH diet provides additional benefits to reduce blood pressure. It is based on an eating plan rich in fruits and vegetables, and low-fat or non-fat dairy."