A recent study, discussed at the American Heart Association’s Scientific Sessions and published in JAMA (click here), reveals that reducing salt intake by approximately one teaspoon per day may decrease blood pressure to a level comparable to the effects of hypertension medication. The research involved 213 adults aged 50 to 75, encompassing individuals with normal blood pressure as well as those with treated or untreated hypertension.
Participants followed a low-sodium diet for a week, consuming about one teaspoon less table salt (2.3 grams of sodium) daily compared to their regular diet. This diet was then contrasted with a week of high-sodium consumption. Results showed that for most participants, a low-sodium diet effectively lowered their blood pressure. On average, the systolic blood pressure (the top number in a reading, indicating heart force during beats) was 8 mmHg lower after the low-sodium diet than after the high-sodium diet, and 6 mmHg lower than their usual diet.
The study’s authors note that significant and rapid blood pressure reduction can be safely achieved through dietary sodium reduction within a week. High blood pressure is linked to an increased risk of heart disease, heart attacks, strokes, and other health issues like kidney disease, visual impairments, sexual dysfunction, and peripheral artery disease. It’s estimated that nearly half of U.S. adults, around 120 million people, suffer from hypertension or are on medication for it, as per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
