New Study Shows Low-Sodium Diet Can Significantly Lower Blood Pressure
A recent study funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) has revealed that reducing sodium intake can have a significant impact on lowering blood pressure. The findings suggest that individuals with or without hypertension, as well as those taking blood pressure medications, can benefit from a low-sodium diet.
High blood pressure, or hypertension, affects approximately half of all Americans. Blood pressure is considered high when systolic readings consistently measure over 130 millimeters of mercury (mm Hg) or diastolic readings are 80 mm Hg or higher.
While the body requires sodium to function properly, excessive intake can contribute to high blood pressure. However, the sensitivity to sodium varies from person to person, making it challenging to determine a healthy amount in one’s diet.
Previous studies on low-sodium diets have typically excluded individuals taking blood pressure-lowering medications, so the impact of reducing sodium intake in these individuals has been unclear. To address this gap, the NIH-funded study examined the effect of dietary sodium on blood pressure in a diverse group of 213 participants aged 50-75, including those with normal and high blood pressure.
The participants were randomly assigned to follow either a high- or low-sodium diet for a week, and their blood pressures were measured before and after the diet change. The results were striking. Nearly 75% of participants had lower systolic blood pressure on the low-sodium diet, with an average drop of 7 mm Hg. Additionally, compared to their usual diets, 72% of participants experienced lower systolic blood pressure on the low-sodium diet, with an average drop of 6 mm Hg.
These reductions in blood pressure could have significant health benefits, indicating that reducing dietary sodium can be as effective as a common first-line medication for high blood pressure. The study also suggests that consuming less sodium could be beneficial for individuals already taking blood pressure-lowering medications.
Researchers emphasize that any reduction in sodium intake from one’s current usual diet is likely to be beneficial. Lowering sodium consumption can have broad health benefits for a wide range of individuals, regardless of whether they have hypertension.
These findings further support the recommendation of reducing dietary sodium to improve overall health and highlight the importance of sodium reduction in managing blood pressure.
“Prone to fits of apathy. Devoted music geek. Troublemaker. Typical analyst. Alcohol practitioner. Food junkie. Passionate tv fan. Web expert.”