In recent weeks, a number of young users of the popular video-sharing app TikTok have been taking part in the so-called "salt challenge." And it's exactly as it sounds. Essentially, the youngsters who take part in the challenge pour large amounts of salt down their throats, with many reacting badly - some even vomiting as a result.
Take a look at this TikTok user's attempt at the salt challenge:While this new trend might just seem like a bit of fun - it can actually have a serious impact on your health and wellbeing, according to medical experts.
Dr. Simran Deo at UK-based online doctor Zava told the Mirror:
"As a doctor, I would strongly recommend that people do not participate in this activity. Eating too much salt is very bad for your health both immediately and in the long run.
In the short term, depending on how much you’ve ingested, eating too much salt can be poisonous. This is because it raises the sodium levels in our bodies, which can cause intense thirst, confusion, nausea, and vomiting. In extreme cases it can also lead to seizures, a coma or can even be fatal - as the high levels of sodium cause the brain to swell up against the inside of the skull."
Another TikTok takes part in the salt challenge and reacts badly:Dr. Deo continues:
"In the long term, eating too much salt in your day to day life impacts your blood pressure. This is because it makes your body retain too much water, and the strain of pumping the additional liquid around your body makes your heart work harder.
And as well as the strain on your heart, eating too much salt can lead to cardiovascular disease such as heart attack and stroke, high blood pressure, headaches, kidney stones, and kidney disease.
Health experts recommend limiting your salt intake to around one teaspoon a day."
"If you think someone has swallowed too much salt, encourage them to drink water," Dr. Deo adds. "Call the emergency services if they stop breathing, have a seizure or lose consciousness."
