How does sodium affect weight loss?

ProjectSYD
ProjectSYD Posts: 104 Member
in Food and Nutrition
How does sodium affect weight loss?

I read that the more sodium you ingest the more wter your body retains, so do you still lose fat when you eat too much sodium but gain water weight? How does it affect te body?

Replies

  • peaceout_aly
    peaceout_aly Posts: 2,018 Member
    Following! I was actually wondering this the other day.
  • bpetrosky
    bpetrosky Posts: 3,911 Member
    Sodium doesn't greatly affect the body burning fat stores.

    There are other reasons you might want to manage sodium, such as hypertension.
  • juggernaut1974
    juggernaut1974 Posts: 6,212 Member
    Excess sodium will cause a temporary retention of water, which may cause temporary stalls or 'blips' on your scale weight.

    It doesn't in and of itself affect tissue (fat/muscle) losses or gains.
  • Ninkyou
    Ninkyou Posts: 6,666 Member
    The human body has a certain sodium/water ratio it has at all times. When you consume more sodium your body will retain water to maintain that ratio. Therefor "water weight gain".

    But it doesn't affect muscle or fat loss.
  • Unknown
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  • areallycoolstory
    areallycoolstory Posts: 1,680 Member
    i had this question when i first started at my fitness pal. often i would have more calories left, but using them would take me over in sodium. my goal became to stay under in calories as well as macros and micros, like sodium and carbohydrates. i eventually found meal combos that work. i did a bit of research at the time, but i can't remember all the details properly. sodium does make you retain water, like you said. it can also make you feel dehydrated, which can easily be mistaken for hunger pangs. i think the thing that resonated most was that your body needs salt, but it needs the right amount to be healthy. just google micronutrients and macronutrients for a proper answer. good luck.

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