The pressure to look perfect often comes at a heavy price — one that isn’t always visible to the outside world. Filmmaker Boney Kapoor, in a 2023 interview, opened up about the death of his late wife, legendary actress Sridevi, revealing how her obsession with staying thin took a serious toll on her health.
“She always wanted to look good because when you are on screen, you look much broader, and she wanted to make sure that she is chiselled and in good shape to maintain good looks on screen,” Boney said in the interview with The New Indian. “She had come down to 46-47 kgs… Before this incident, she had a blackout on a number of occasions and doctors kept telling her ‘You have low BP, so do not follow a severe diet and don’t avoid salt’.” According to Boney, Sridevi would sometimes starve herself, which led to blackouts, and she also believed that avoiding salt would help prevent water retention. Her struggles, rooted in body image concerns, raise questions about the dangers of crash dieting.
How can extreme dieting affect blood pressure, and what are the dangers of repeated blackouts?
Ashlesha Joshi, senior nutritionist at Tone 30 Pilates, tells indianexpress.com, “Extreme or crash dieting can significantly disrupt the body’s electrolyte balance and blood sugar levels, which in turn can cause a drop in blood pressure. When someone restricts calories too severely, the body doesn’t get enough glucose for energy. This can lead to symptoms like dizziness, fatigue, and in more severe cases, blackouts, as the brain is highly sensitive to even small drops in blood sugar and blood pressure.”
Frequent blackouts are not just isolated incidents; they can signal inadequate blood flow to the brain and may increase the risk of falls, injury, and even long-term cardiovascular strain. In the context of repeated starvation, the body enters a state of physiological stress, which can compromise heart health, kidney function, and hormonal balance over time, the expert notes.
Chronic under-eating can have far-reaching consequences. (Source: Freepik)
What role does salt play in regulating blood pressure and overall health?
Boney mentioned that doctors had warned her against avoiding salt due to low BP, but many people—especially women—fear salt for causing water retention. Joshi explains that salt, or more specifically, sodium, plays a vital role in maintaining fluid balance, nerve function, and muscle contractions. “In individuals with low blood pressure, drastically reducing salt can make symptoms worse by lowering blood volume and compromising circulation. For someone with a naturally low BP, moderate salt intake is beneficial and often recommended.”
The fear of salt causing bloating or water retention is understandable, she stresses, but it’s often overstated. “Water retention typically results from a combination of factors, poor hydration, hormonal changes, and an imbalanced diet, not just salt alone.”
Long-term effects of trying to stay extremely thin through restrictive diets
Chronic under-eating can have far-reaching consequences. “Physically, it can result in nutrient deficiencies, hormonal imbalances, muscle loss, weakened bones, and digestive issues. Over time, it may lead to conditions like amenorrhea (loss of menstruation), osteoporosis, and even impaired immunity,” mentions Joshi.
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Mentally, she adds that restrictive dieting can take a significant toll, fueling anxiety around food, body image issues, and disordered eating patterns.
DISCLAIMER: This article is based on information from the public domain and/or the experts we spoke to. Always consult your health practitioner before starting any routine.
