Friday, May 15, 2009

Reducing salt intake improves health

Jeff Novick posted two journal articles on salt on his website. Both articles reinforce the scientific evidence that high salt intake is a major threat to public health.

The first article, Low-sodium DASH reduces oxidative stress and improves vascular function in salt-sensitive humans concludes that a low sodium diet decreases oxidative stress, improves vascular function and lowers blood pressure in salt sensitive subjects. The second article A comprehensive review on salt and health and current experience of worldwide salt reduction programmes provides an overview of a myriad of health threats (beyond high blood pressure) posed by high salt consumption and concludes that nation's would be well served to implement public health programs to reduce the levels of salt consumption in the population.

The main sources of all this damaging sodium are restaurant meals, refined and highly processed foods. I wouldn't be surprised if salt reduction may be the next target of public health regulators, especially at the state and local level. If they can go after transfats served in restaurants, why not dangerous high salt restaurant meals?

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