Excess salt intake leads to which effect?

Excess salt intake leads to which effect?

• A. Dehydration
• B. Retention of water
• C. Increased heart rate
• D. No change

Answer: (B)

When you take in excess salt, the extracellular fluid becomes more concentrated (higher osmolality). The body responds to this by holding onto water to restore the balance between salt and water. Osmoreceptors in the brain detect the increased osmolality and trigger thirst, plus stimulate the release of antidiuretic hormone, which makes the kidneys reabsorb more water. This leads to retention of water and an expanded extracellular fluid volume, and can raise blood pressure if the situation persists. Dehydration isn’t the direct outcome of salt alone; it would happen if water intake is insufficient to match the higher salt level. Increased heart rate isn’t the primary effect of salt loading. So the best answer is retention of water.

When you take in excess salt, the extracellular fluid becomes more concentrated (higher osmolality). The body responds to this by holding onto water to restore the balance between salt and water. Osmoreceptors in the brain detect the increased osmolality and trigger thirst, plus stimulate the release of antidiuretic hormone, which makes the kidneys reabsorb more water. This leads to retention of water and an expanded extracellular fluid volume, and can raise blood pressure if the situation persists. Dehydration isn’t the direct outcome of salt alone; it would happen if water intake is insufficient to match the higher salt level. Increased heart rate isn’t the primary effect of salt loading. So the best answer is retention of water.