Do more calories consumed relate to a higher salt intake in people with high blood pressure?

This study looked at the association between the number of calories a person eats and the amount of salt consumed in people with high blood pressure. They found that people with increased weight and high blood pressure had a higher level of salt consumption.

High salt consumption is known to be linked to hypertension (high blood pressure), heart disease, and stroke. Being overweight or obese is also linked with these medical conditions. However, it is not clear how the amount of calories eaten impacts the amount of salt and blood pressure. 

This study involved 582 randomly selected participants aged 25-65. Participants completed diet questionnaires and had their blood pressure and body mass index (BMI; a measure of weight in relation to height) measured. They also had the salt levels in their urine measured over a 24 hour period. The amount of salt excreted was taken as an indication of the amount of salt consumed.

The average amount of salt excreted in urine over 24 hours was 3,834 mg. This is more than twice the recommended daily intake for adults (1500 mg/day). Participants with hypertension and high BMI (BMI over 25kg/m²) were more likely to consume high levels of salt than other participants.

This study showed that overweight and obese people with high blood pressure are more likely to consume more calories and, therefore, higher quantities of salt.  

This study was based in Israel. More studies are needed to see if similar salt consumption takes place in other populations.