Friday 17 / May / 2024
London: A recent study by Vanderbilt University Medical Centre, Northwestern Medicine, and the University of Alabama at Birmingham reveals that reducing sodium intake by one teaspoon per day can significantly lower blood pressure.
The research, one of the largest of its kind, involved middle-aged to elderly participants and revealed a noteworthy drop in systolic blood pressure, emphasising the pivotal role of diet in blood pressure management.
High blood pressure, a leading cause of morbidity and mortality globally, can lead to serious cardiovascular issues.
The participants, aged 50 to 70, were randomised to high or low-sodium diets for one week, with a significant systolic blood pressure reduction observed in those on the low-sodium diet.
The study, published in the Journal of the American Medical Association and presented at the American Heart Association Scientific Sessions 2023, showed that 70-75% of individuals, whether on blood pressure medication or not, could experience a reduction in blood pressure by lowering their sodium intake.
The recommended daily sodium intake by the American Heart Association is below 1,500 milligrams, and the study aims to decrease the figure even lower.
