Although research has previously shown that too much salt in the diet can increase your risk of cardiovascular illnesses, a new study is now proposing that too little sodium in the diet may also cause health problems.
Although this new study showed links between high amounts of salt and heart problems, it also showed similar issues when participants consumed less sodium, including a 27 percent greater risk of heart attack and stroke.
The study, published in the New England Journal of Medicine, looked at data from over 100,000 adults from all over the world between the ages of 35 to 70. These participants provided urine samples to researchers for over three years.
The results showed that 4.3 percent of those who ate less than 3,000 milligrams of salt per day either suffered from a heart attack, stroke, heart failure or death. Only 3.1 percent of those that ate between 3,000 milligrams and 6,000 milligrams, however, had cardiovascular issues. The number rose to 3.2 percent for those who consumed more than 6,000 milligrams.
The problem with this study is that it goes against everything the public has previously been told about salt intake: less is better. The American Heart Association actively suggests lower salt intake as part of a healthy diet. The organization questions the new study, specifically because its data came from urine samples.
"The bulk of the available evidence to date suggests that reduced sodium intake is associated with reduced blood pressure, which itself is associated with a reduction in cardiovascular events," says AHA President Elliot Antman, M.D. "Along with improving overall diet, controlling weight, and increasing physical activity, lowering sodium intake is key to lowering blood pressure in the general population and improving blood pressure control in those with hypertension."
The new study's authors argue that other research has not proven that a sodium intake of less than 2,300 milligrams has any health benefits. They believe that like anything, moderation is key.
"There is a sweet spot for what the optimum sodium intake is," says Salim Yusuf, senior author of the paper. "The message is very simple: Moderation in salt intake. Avoid high and low levels."
So who is right here? Should you eat less salt or more? Only future research may tell us. In the meantime, the majority of studies agree that too much sodium is harmful, so cutting back on salt intake, even just a little, should provide health benefits.
