Excess salt raises blood pressure and increases premature death from cardiovascular disease, according to the results of a study published in the New England Journal of Medicine. It would be responsible for 1.65 million annual deaths in the world.
American and British researchers have carried out a meta-analysis on salt consumption and the health risks of excess sodium in the diet.
They studied survey data on salt intake among adults in 66 countries around the world and estimated the effects of these eating habits on heart disease.
The researchers estimated that the daily salt intake was on average 3.95 grams (from 2.18 grams per day in sub-Saharan Africa to 5.51 grams in Central Asia), while the World Organization for Health (WHO) recommends consuming 2 grams per day. Indeed, excessive salt consumption promotes hypertension, itself the cause of cardiovascular disease.
“A diet that is too salty increases blood pressure, a risk factor for cardiovascular disease,” recalls Dr. Mozaffarian of the Department of Epidemiology and Nutrition at the Harvard School of Public.
Disturbing figures
The results of this survey reveal that 1.65 million annual deaths due to causes cardiovascular were attributed to sodium consumption above the baseline. 61.9% of these deaths occurred in men and 38.1% in women. These deaths accounted for nearly 1 in 10 deaths from cardiovascular disease (9.5%). Four in five deaths (84.3%) occurred in low- and middle-income countries (gross national income per capita less than $ 12,615 per year). And, 40.4% of those deaths were premature and occurred before age 70.
“While we were unable to determine that a reduction in salt reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease, we have on the other hand highlighted that a diet that is too salty increases them” explains Dr. Mozaffarian, a cardiologist and epidemiologist. co-author of the study. “Information programs and political means should be put in place to reduce the consumption of salt in the majority of countries in the world ”concludes the researcher.
