If you love snacking on chips, or if you can’t have a full meal without bagoong, chances are, you’re taking in too much salt. Not only can this diet dehydrate the kidneys, but it can also reduce calcium and cause osteoporosis.

According to a study conducted by University of Alberta researchers, sodium and calcium are closely linked due to a certain molecule that manages their absorption and regulates their levels in your body. They’re so interconnected that wherever one goes, you’ll almost always find the other. Therefore, when you relieve yourself after eating an entire bag of chips in one sitting, you’re not just flushing out excess salt--you’re also losing a great deal of calcium. Expelling profuse amounts of calcium can do a certain degree of damage to your body; too much of it in your urine can cause kidney stones, while too little of it in your system can cause osteoporosis.

That doesn't mean, however, that you should stop eating salty food. In fact, sodium is an important and essential part of one’s diet. When taken in moderation, it can promote good transmission of nerve impulses and muscle wellness. Eat balanced meals and steer clear of too much processed food. That way, you can be sure that you just have the right amount of sodium and calcium in your body.

(Photo by aschaeffer via sxc.hu)