Why the study?
Does population-wide sodium restriction reduce cardiovascular events or death in the general population?
Does population-wide sodium restriction reduce cardiovascular events or death in the general population?
This review challenges current dietary guidelines by suggesting that population-wide sodium restriction lacks definitive proof of benefit and may actually increase cardiovascular risk.
Very low sodium intake may raise cardiovascular risk; leaves open net benefit of population-wide restriction.
PURPOSE OF REVIEW: To evaluate the evidence for population-wide sodium restriction. RECENT FINDINGS: The recommendations for population-wide sodium restriction largely rely on one surrogate marker (blood pressure). However, recent evidence suggests that when looking beyond blood pressure (e.g. heart rate, aldosterone, renin, cholesterol, triglycerides, noradrenaline and adrenaline), the net effect of sodium restriction is likely harmful. Prospective studies support the notion that those consuming the lowest amounts of salt are at the highest risk of cardiovascular events and premature death. SUMMARY: There is no definitive proof that sodium restriction reduces cardiovascular events or death. It is time for the dietary guidelines to look at the totality of the evidence and reconsider the advice around population-wide sodium restriction.
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DiNicolantonio et al. (2018) studied this question.
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