Study reveals reducing salt intake is effective in controlling BP
By: Pune Pulse
November 28, 2023
Pune: A recent study published in the Journal of American Medical Association (JAMA) has discovered that reducing salt consumption can be just as advantageous as the initial medications prescribed to control high blood pressure. This conclusion was drawn after closely monitoring 213 individuals over a period of time.
A group of people ranging from 50 to 75 years old, consisting of those with normal blood pressure (25%), controlled hypertension or high blood pressure (20%), uncontrolled hypertension (31%), and untreated hypertension (25%), participated in a baseline visit while maintaining their regular diet. Following this, they underwent a one-week trial of high- and low-sodium diets.
According to the JAMA study, a low-sodium diet consisting of approximately 500mg of added sodium per day resulted in an average reduction of 8 mm Hg in systolic blood pressure after just one week. In contrast, a high-sodium diet including around 2,200mg of added sodium daily showed few benefits and potentially negative effects.
The researchers state that the low-sodium diet effectively reduced systolic blood pressure in approximately 75% of participants, similar to the effects of a commonly prescribed first-line antihypertensive medication. They further note that the decrease in blood pressure observed when transitioning from a high-sodium to a low-sodium diet was not influenced by hypertension status or the use of antihypertensive medication.
Additionally, this reduction in blood pressure was consistently observed across different subgroups and did not lead to any additional adverse events.
As per the information received, a high-level sodium diet is known to elevate the risk of hypertension or high blood pressure, potentially leading to heart attacks and strokes. The significance of reducing salt intake in managing hypertension is widely recognized, and this study further emphasizes its importance through original research and validated data.