Aside from being a contributor to the development of high blood pressure and autoimmune diseases, a high-salt diet can also negatively affect gut microbiota, according to research, as previously noted. Here Rose Lidell, Food.news, reflects on study confirming salt reduction is the key to hypertension management.

“At least 150 million adults in the U.S. have high blood pressure (hypertension). The condition puts people at risk of various health problems, such as heart attack and stroke.

Salt consumption is often considered to contribute to high blood pressure by stimulating thirst, resulting in greater fluid intake. Hence, reducing salt intake is widely considered to be an important strategy for lowering blood pressure.

Several studies present conflicting findings. One study suggests that higher sodium intake doesn’t stimulate thirst and fluid intake but instead promotes weight loss by changing your body’s total energy needs.

A study led by Dr. Stephen Juraschek, Assistant Professor of Medicine at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (BIDMC), attempted to clarify the conflicting data. The results were published in the journal Hypertension.

In the BIDMC study, Juraschek and his colleagues found that reducing sodium intake in adults with elevated blood pressure or hypertension decreased thirst, urine volume (considered a marker of fluid intake) and blood pressure. The changes didn’t affect metabolic energy needs.

These results support the traditional notion that decreasing sodium intake is important for hypertension management.”

Read More … Article Source: https://www.food.news/2022-05-10-reducing-salt-consumption-key-to-hypertension-management.html

If you would like to learn other solutions to help control your health … click here?