10 November 2011
Reducing the amount of salt in your diet may lower your blood pressure, but it may also increase your cholesterol level counteracting any beneficial health effects, according to a review of research published by the Cochrane Collaboration.
Looking at the results from over 160 studies, the researchers found that people who had normal blood pressure and followed a diet low in salt had a one percent reduction in blood pressure. Those people who had elevated blood pressure and followed a diet low in salt had a 3.5 percent reduction in blood pressure.
However, when the researchers looked at the effect of salt intake on different heart disease markers, for example cholesterol (a type of fat made by your body) and triglycerides (a different type of fat mostly coming from your food), they found these increased. Those people who ate low amounts of salt in their diet had a 2.5 percent increase in cholesterol and a seven percent increase in triglycerides.
Dr Layla McCay, Assistant Medical Director for Bupa, commented: “It’s important to note that this review of the research only looked at measurements that may indicate an increased risk of heart disease – they didn’t actually look at whether any of these people did in fact go on to develop heart disease or any other related conditions, for example stroke.
“In order to understand the effect salt has on people’s diet and general health, we need to be able to see what happens to people in the long term. As the average length of follow-up in these studies was less than a month, it’s very difficult to translate these findings so people can better understand the health risks associated with salt. In short, the findings from this review do not provide enough convincing evidence to alter any of the health advice currently given about salt intake.
“Interestingly, the results suggest that reducing salt in the diet might turn out to have more of an impact for black and Asian people than for Caucasian people. However, since the people in these studies were mostly Caucasian, we don’t know yet for sure. More research is needed to look at the effects of a low-salt diet on different ethnic groups before any changes are made to the standard salt advice.
“It’s important to remember that salt only plays a small part in our overall risk of heart attack or stroke. Other lifestyle changes, such as stopping smoking, doing regular physical activity and losing excess weight, are also key factors to help protect against heart disease.”
In this review of the research, 167 randomised controlled trials were looked at. This means all the people in the studies were randomly allocated to follow a diet that was either low in salt or high in salt. The studies looked at the effect salt had on people’s blood pressure and other heart disease markers, on average, for at least four weeks.
Get checked out with a Bupa Health Assessment. Our assessments are designed to help you understand and manage your health. Call 0845 600 3458 quoting ref HFS100 to book an appointment today.
Bupa's private Cromwell Hospital's Nutrition and Dietetic Department has a team of registered dietitians that can offer tailored dietary advice based on specific medical conditions. For more info call 020 7460 5566.
Graudal NA, Hubeck-Graudal T, Jurgens G. Effects of low sodium diet versus high sodium diet on blood pressure, renin, aldosterone, catecholamines, cholesterol, and triglyceride (Review). Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2011, Issue 11. doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD004022.pub3
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