Almost everyone can lower their blood pressure, even people who are already taking anti-hypertensive medications, by reducing salt in their diet.
- Reducing your salt intake helps lower blood pressure, even if you are already taking anti-hypertensive medication.
- 72% of participants experienced a drop in systolic blood pressure on a low-sodium diet compared to their usual diet.
- The beneficial effect on blood pressure was observed after one week of a low sodium diet.
Decrease Consuming even a little salt is still beneficial for your blood pressure, even if you are already taking medication for hypertension. Here’s what research published in the journal confirms JAMA by scientists from Northwestern Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center and the University of Alabama at Birmingham on November 11, 2023.
Hypertension: Reducing salt intake is beneficial for everyone
The scientists brought together 213 people aged 50 to 70 to conduct their study. Some volunteers followed a high-sodium diet (2,200 mg per day in addition to their usual diet)while others ate a low-sodium diet (500 mg total per day) for a week, before switching to the opposite diet the following week. Analyzes showed that systolic blood pressure was significantly lowered by 7 to 8 mm Hg when participants ate low-salt rather than high-sodium cuisine. In addition, it fell by 6 mm Hg compared to their usual diet. Overall, 72% of volunteers experienced a drop in systolic blood pressure on a low-sodium diet compared to their traditional menus.
“We found that 70 to 75 percent of all people, whether they already take blood pressure medication or not, are likely to see a reduction in their blood pressure if they lower the sodium in their diet.”explained the co-principal investigator Pr Norrina Allen in a communicated.
Drop in consumption salt: a rapid effect on blood pressure
For the researchers, their study confirms that it is good to pay attention to your salt intake. “The effect of reducing dietary sodium on lowering blood pressure was consistent at almost all people, including those who had normal blood pressure, high blood pressure, treated blood pressure, and untreated blood pressure”specified the co-researcher Deepak Gupta. “Just like all forms of activity physics are good for the majority of people, any reduction in sodium from the usual diet is better than nothing for most people, as far as blood pressure is concerned. added the expert.
“The fact that blood pressure fell so significantly in just one week and was well tolerated is important and highlights the potential public health impact of reducing dietary sodium in the population, given that High blood pressure is a huge health problem worldwide.”added study co-researcher Dr Cora Lewis. Indeed, high blood pressure is the cause of many serious cardiovascular disorders. For example, it can increase the risks of heart failure, heart attacks and strokes.
