Eating too much salt is bad for us?

Salt is made up of about 40% sodium and 60% chlorine.  Human body requires a small amount of sodium to conduct nerve impulses, contract and relax muscle and maintain the proper balance of water and minerals. It is estimated that we need about 500 mg of sodium daily for these vital functions. We also need salt to flavor food. But eating too much salt (sodium) is bad for us.

In most people, the kidneys have trouble keeping up with excess sodium in the blood. As sodium accumulates, the body holds onto water to dilute the sodium. This increases both the amount of fluid surrounding cells and the volume of blood in the bloodstream. Increased blood volume means more work for the heart and more pressure on blood vessels. Over time, the extra work and pressure can stiffen blood vessels, leading to high blood pressure, heart attack and stroke. It can also lead to heart failure. There is some evidence that too much salt can damage the heart, aorta and kidneys without increasing blood pressure, and that it may be bad for bones, too as it can also cause calcium losses, some of which may be pulled from bone. 

The American Heart Association recommends 1500 mg of sodium a day for most adults to stay healthy.