Preeti Jain Preeti Jain Asked 9 months ago

Does sodium affect weight loss?

I'm trying to lose weight and have been tracking my food intake. I noticed many processed foods have high sodium. Does sodium affect weight loss, or is it just about calories?

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8 answers

Priya Sen Priya Sen Joined Jan 2026 9 months ago
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Yes, high sodium causes temporary water retention, which can slow down your weight loss progress on the scale.

Arjun Das Arjun Das Joined Mar 2026 7 months ago

I cannot give any medical advice, but in my personal experience, cutting down on high-sodium processed foods helped me shed water weight very quickly. I felt much less bloated within a week of eating fresh homemade meals with normal salt.

Meera Nair Meera Nair Joined Apr 2026 7 months ago

Managing PCOS makes weight loss really tricky, and I have noticed that eating too much salt makes me hold onto water weight and feel bloated. It doesn't stop fat loss, but it definitely affects the scale. Try to eat fresh meals and stay patient.

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Sita Lakshmi Sita Lakshmi Joined Jan 2026 9 months ago

When I visited my doctor at Apollo, they clearly explained how sodium levels affect hydration and kidney function, which impact weight readings. I highly recommend asking your doctor about your specific sodium needs instead of self-diagnosing.

Ananya Verma Ananya Verma Joined Jan 2026 9 months ago

I used to panic when the scale went up after a salty dinner, but it is just temporary water retention. Drinking lots of water actually helps flush out the excess sodium. Don't worry, just stick to your regular routine and it will balance out!

Siddharth Malhotra Siddharth Malhotra Joined Feb 2026 9 months ago

High sodium doesn't stop you from losing fat, but it causes water retention which masks your actual weight loss. Cut out packaged namkeens and restaurant food for a week, and you will see the bloating disappear. Keep it simple.

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Kabir Sharma Kabir Sharma Joined Feb 2026 8 months ago

Bhai, high sodium just holds water in your body, making you look bloated. It is not real fat gain, just water weight. Cut down on junk food and pickles, drink lots of water, and you will see the scale drop in a few days.

Ramesh Kumar Ramesh Kumar Joined Jun 2026 4 months ago

Don't fall for internet trends that tell you to completely cut out salt for weight loss. Sodium is an essential nutrient for your body. If you want a safe diet plan, please consult a qualified dietician instead of trusting random advice.

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