Salt and sugar, unfortunately, are two major ingredients used as the base of any food item. One cannot do without either of them. How many of us are often tempted with that extra salt on our salad, an extra spoonful of sugar or that extra slice of cake? The answer is all of us, at some point in our lives. But anything in excess will have its side effects. While salt and sugar has its benefits, it can also lead to serious health conditions.

In addition to salt and sugar, the other major cause of health issue is, stress. We are living in a time where we get consumed by the hustle-bustle of everyday life. There are times when even 24 hours isn’t sufficient. The pressure of maintaining balance between personal and professional life, takes a major toll on our physical as well as mental health. The solution is the stability among the three major factors affecting our life – salt, sugar and stress. Ahead, we give you a low-down on how to manage them.

Salt

In Excess: The body requires a daily amount of salt to maintain the blood pressure. But too much salt can lead to high blood pressure. Excess sodium can increase if you consume processed or canned foods, other than your daily requirement of salt in your food. High blood pressure can lead to a heart disease or even a stroke. It can also lead to water retention in your body.

In deficient: Too little salt can cause a condition called hyponatremia that can lead to a number of side effects. Low sodium content can lead to shock with sudden decrease in blood pressure. It also affects the nervous system. People suffering from sodium deficiency may experience disorientation, seizures or even brain damage.

In adequate: To maintain the balance, avoid shaking raw salt on salads, fruits and curd. Also limiting junk and processed foods can control the sugar levels in body.

Sugar

In excess: Consumption of sugar in abundance can lead to diabetes. Major weight gain issue arises from consuming excess sugar. If your diet incorporates a lot of sugar, it is nothing but empty calories that can accumulate fat in your body. It can also cause tooth decay by providing fuel to the bacteria that produce cavity-causing plaque. It can also be a cause of depression in adults.

In Deficient: While cutting out sugar has its benefits, it also has several side effects, and can affect your energy levels. No sugar intake can lead to low blood sugar or hypoglycaemia. Low blood sugar can lead to a number of symptoms including fatigue, headaches and difficulty in focusing.

In adequate: Foods that help in balancing the sugar levels are greens, beans, protein rich foods and nuts. A combination of a balanced, low-processed diet along with regular exercise will help control the sugar levels.

Stress

Not many of us are open to talk about matters that bother us. Suppressing those matters leads to excessive stress. Some of the side effects of stress are anxiety, depression, headaches, irritability, insomnia, exhaustion, hair fall and weight gain. The primary reason people do not discuss this issue is due to lack of acceptance.

How to manage it

There are several ways one can manage stress. Regular exercise or any form of physical activity, relaxation or breathing techniques, socialising with family and friends, having a well-balanced diet and taking a break once in a while, will help in combating stress.

Life is precious and should not be taken for granted. Avoid those temptations and try resorting to healthier alternatives. The 3 S can have major effects on our lives. Therefore, maintaining a balance is of utmost importance.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Feb 09, 2018 07:00 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).