A recent study claims low intake of salt can lead to higher risks of cardiovascular disease.
A worldwide study led by Population Health Research Institute (PHRI) of McMaster University, Hamilton Health Sciences revealed that only people with hypertension need to lower their salt intake, reported the Science Daily. In others, it can increase the risks of cardiovascular disease.
The study included over 130,000 people from 49 countries and looked at the relationship between heart diseases, stroke and intake of sodium.
It found that low-sodium intake was linked with increased number of heart attacks, strokes and death even for the ones suffering from hypertension.
Andrew Mente, lead author of the study, a principal investigator of PHRI and an associate professor of clinical epidemiology and biostatistics at McMaster's Michael G. DeGroote School of Medicine said, "These are extremely important findings for those who are suffering from high blood pressure."
"While our data highlights the importance of reducing high salt intake in people with hypertension, it does not support reducing salt intake to low levels. Our findings are important because they show that lowering sodium is best targeted at those with hypertension who also consume high sodium diets", said Mente
While previous studies link low-sodium intake to increased cardiovascular risk, the new study highlights risks of low sodium intake irrespective of whether or not a person has hypertension. Low intake is less than three gram per day. On the other hand, high sodium consumption will only harm people with hypertension.
According to the study, around 10% of the world population had both hypertension and high intake of sodium. High intake means more than six grams per day. Mente says that globally most people are consuming the correct amount of salt.
He added, "Low sodium intake reduces blood pressure modestly, compared to average intake, but low sodium intake also has other effects, including adverse elevations of certain hormones which may outweigh any benefits. The key question is not whether blood pressure is lower with very low salt intake, instead it is whether it improves health."
"This study adds to our understanding of the relationship between salt intake and health", said Dr. Martin O'Donnell, a co-author on the study and an associate clinical professor at McMaster University and National University of Ireland Galway.
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