Salt and Hypertension
On this page, you will learn about the effect of salt on blood pressure and the importance of reducing its consumption for the prevention and management of hypertension.
Primary and Secondary Hypertension: Types, Causes, and Differences.
Primary hypertension, also known as essential hypertension, refers to high blood pressure with no identifiable underlying cause. It accounts for approximately 95% of all hypertension cases.
The remaining 5% of cases are classified as secondary hypertension, which is high blood pressure resulting from an identifiable medical condition. Common causes include renovascular hypertension, kidney diseases, and adrenal gland disorders.
What affects blood pressure? From genetics to nutrition.
It is well known that heredity plays a significant role in hypertension, but blood pressure is also influenced by external (environmental) factors, which tend to raise it gradually over time as a person ages.
The most well-known contributing factors include high salt intake, low potassium intake (found in fruits and vegetables), obesity, lack of physical activity, and increased alcohol consumption.
Among these, salt is considered the most critical factor. Epidemiological studies have shown that blood pressure increases in all populations where daily salt intake exceeds 6 grams per day.
Salt and Blood Pressure: What a Study in Portugal Revealed
Interesting findings emerged from a study conducted in two villages in Portugal. In one of the villages, residents received specific guidance to reduce their salt intake through dietary changes, while in the other village, residents continued their usual, salt-rich diet.
At the end of the two-year study, there was a significant difference in blood pressure levels between the two populations, clearly demonstrating the impact of reduced salt consumption on arterial pressure.
From 12 to 6 Grams: The Impact of Salt Reduction in Just One Month
Numerous clinical studies, both in individuals with hypertension and those with normal blood pressure (normotensives), have shown that even a modest reduction in dietary salt — from the usual 10–12 grams per day down to 6 grams daily — leads to a significant decrease in blood pressure within just one month.
This reduction translates to an average drop of 7 mmHg in hypertensive individuals and 4 mmHg in normotensives.
Such a decrease in blood pressure is associated with a 24% reduction in stroke-related deaths and a 20% reduction in the incidence of cardiovascular disease!
Summary
GUIDELINE: Daily salt intake should be reduced from the current 10–12 grams per day to approximately 6 grams per day.
In developed countries, 75–80% of salt consumption comes from food itself, as salt is often “hidden” within processed products. This occurs mainly through the consumption of ready-made meals, such as processed meats, restaurant food, fast food, and cafeteria meals.