Unhealthy salt more of a myth? Salt not harmful as explained

Is salt unhealthy?

Until now it was said that salt is unhealthy and people should be careful with their consumption of salt. Researchers have now discovered that salt may not be as harmful as it has always been claimed. According to the experts, campaigns to reduce the intake of salt are obviously worthwhile only in countries with very high sodium consumption, such as China.

McMaster University researchers in Canada found in their current research that salt does not seem to be as harmful as previously thought. The physicians published the results of their study in the English language journal "The Lancet".

High salt intake increases the risk of hypertension. To eat too little salt is just as unhealthy. (Image: HandmadePictures / fotolia.com)

How much salt should people eat each day??

The World Health Organization recommends reducing the intake of sodium to no more than two grams per day. This corresponds to a quantity of around five grams of salt. Salt is associated with increased blood pressure, which in turn is associated with strokes. However, the recommendations on the consumption of salt are difficult to implement. In countries like the United Kingdom and the United States, it makes no sense to make such a recommendation, the experts explain.

More than 90,000 people participated in the study

The current study included more than 90,000 people from 18 countries. The findings sparked a real dispute over the use of salt among physicians and experts. Because many are so far the conviction that the salt consumption should be reduced as close to zero as possible.

Moderate salt intake could be protective

The scientists found that the deleterious effects of sodium (increased risk of high blood pressure and strokes) only occur in countries such as China, where generous use of soy sauce results in sodium levels in excess of five grams per day. This corresponds to a salt amount of 12 grams. The experts found that very low salt levels actually resulted in more heart attacks and deaths, suggesting that moderate salt intake could be protective.

The body needs sodium and other essential nutrients

With the current study, evidence suggests that sodium plays a positive role in cardiovascular health when consumed moderately, but plays a more damaging role in very high or very low intake, physicians explain. The body needs essential nutrients like sodium, but the question is how much does he need of it.

What limitations did the study have??

The latest observational study compared different groups of people and dealt with communities rather than individuals, leading to intense criticism. The main criticism was that the study did not measure exactly the amount of sodium in the urine of humans. Such an accurate measurement would have to be done over a period of 24 hours.

Campaigns to reduce salt intake are partially successful

In some countries, campaigns to reduce salt intake have been beneficial. The intake of salt in the UK has fallen from over 12 g per day to 7 to 8 g per day over the past 30 years, which has been accompanied by a decline in the average blood pressure of the population, explain the physicians. Japan used to have a very high prevalence of hypertension and strokes, and measures were taken there to reduce salt intake as early as the 1970s. Nowadays, the rates of high blood pressure and strokes are correspondingly lower.