- Any significant reduction in one’s consumption of dietary salt can improve high blood pressure, according to a new study.
- The study’s main focus was addressing primary aldosteronism, a common secondary cause of hypertension.
- The researchers also observed that a lower sodium intake reduced symptoms of depression and anxiety in participants.
A new study investigates the effect of a moderate reduction in dietary sodium intake on hypertension, or high blood pressure.
Dietary salt is a combination of two chemicals: sodium and chloride. The sodium in salt is closely linked to hypertension, and reducing its consumption is associated with a reduction in high blood pressure.
While the average American ingests about 3,600 milligrams (mg) of sodium each day, the American Heart Association
For people with hypertension, the recommended limit for daily sodium intake is lower, about 1,500 mg. This is roughly two-thirds of a teaspoon.
The study looks specifically at the benefits of sodium reduction on one specific cause of hypertension, primary aldosteronism.
In the study’s participants, cutting sodium consumption by half for 12 weeks significantly reduced high blood pressure values, as well as symptoms of depression and anxiety.
The 41 participants in the non-randomized, single-arm study monitored their sodium intake using a smartphone app that allowed them to track sodium levels in prepared, packaged, and fast foods.
The researchers found that using the app helped participants remain motivated through suggested low-salt recipes, a reward system, and a chat feature with which participants could reach out to experts with questions.
The study is published in the
“Most people suffer from essential hypertension, i.e., hypertension without a specific and treatable underlying cause,” said study lead author Dr. Holger Schneider.
However, he said, “up to 15% of…
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