09/11/2025
Most of us think salt only matters if we’re heavy-handed with the shaker. But the truth is, the majority of salt in your diet is already hiding in processed and packaged foods, from cereals and sauces to soups and snacks that don’t even taste salty.
🍟 Around 75% of the salt we eat comes from hidden sources. That extra sodium makes your body retain water, which raises blood pressure and puts stress on your heart and kidneys. Over time, it can also affect your energy levels, increase bloating, and throw off your body’s fluid balance.
💧 During menopause, falling oestrogen levels make your body more sensitive to sodium. This means the same foods that never caused issues before can now lead to puffiness, hot flashes, and spikes in blood pressure. If you’ve noticed your rings feeling tighter or your face feeling puffy after certain meals, salt could be playing a part.
⚖️ The other side of the story is potassium. It works hand-in-hand with sodium to keep things balanced. When potassium is low (which is common in modern diets), the effects of salt are amplified. Foods like avocado, bananas, spinach, beans, lentils, and sweet potatoes help your body flush out excess sodium and protect your blood pressure, heart, and hormonal balance.
This isn’t about cutting salt completely, it’s about being aware. Cooking more at home, reading labels, swapping packaged foods for fresh ingredients, and using herbs or spices for flavour can make a powerful difference.
Your hormones, heart, and energy all benefit when you give your body balance instead of overload.
Save this post and check your next food label. Small changes today can protect your heart for years to come.
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