Does a low sodium diet improve blood pressure management?

This study investigated how low and high sodium diets affect various cardiovascular health factors.

They found that patients with normal or high blood pressure (hypertension) had reduced blood pressure following sodium reduction.

High blood pressure (hypertension) is a serious health concern. One of the standard treatment recommendations is to reduce sodium (salt) intake. High sodium concentrations in the blood can cause the blood volume to increase and elevate blood pressure.

There are conflicting opinions on the appropriate definition for ‘high’, ‘normal’ and ‘low’ sodium intake. There is also conflicting evidence on whether sodium reduction actually reduces blood pressure and other cardiovascular parameters.

This study was a meta-analysis. Patient data from 185 studies was analyzed to identify the range used to describe sodium intake. Blood pressure, blood hormone (including cholesterol) and triglyceride levels were also analyzed. The analysis was broken down based on ethnicity.

Average sodium intake was 201 mmol/day in the 'high sodium' and 66 mmol/day in the ‘low-sodium’ groups. The average reduction in sodium intake (from high to low) was 8 grams. Patients with normal blood pressure saw a reduction of 1/0 mmHg, whereas high blood pressure patients saw a greater reduction of 5.5/2.9 mmHg. There was also an increase in hormones such as renin, aldosterone, and adrenaline as well as cholesterol and triglycerides. 

This study concluded that a low sodium diet was associated with a reduction in blood pressure in normal and hypertensive patients.

The majority of the studies included in this analysis were drawn from a white population. The association between low sodium diet and cardiovascular health may be stronger in other ethnicities. 

Please consult with your doctor if you have concerns regarding blood pressure management and/or the level of sodium in your diet.