Excessive intake of which mineral is associated with hypertension?

• A. Iron
• B. Fluoride
• C. Copper
• D. Sodium

Answer: (D)

High sodium intake raises blood pressure by altering fluid balance in the body. When you consume excess sodium, the body retains more water to maintain balance, increasing the extracellular fluid and overall blood volume. That extra volume makes the heart work harder and raises the pressure inside the arteries, contributing to hypertension over time. Some people are particularly sodium-sensitive, so their blood pressure reacts strongly to salt. The other minerals listed—iron, fluoride, and copper—do not have as direct a link to hypertension in typical dietary patterns, so the mineral most associated with elevated blood pressure is sodium. Reducing sodium intake can help lower blood pressure for many individuals.