Cutting down our daily intake by just 2g can cut our chances of cardiovascular events by up to 20 per cent, leading experts said in an article published in The Lancet journal.
.
Research from Exeter University published two weeks ago claimed there was no strong evidence to prove the benefits of a reduction in salt in your diet, prompting reports that salt had little or no effect on the chance of suffering strokes or heart attacks.
.
But a reanalysis of the same data has shown that there is indeed a significant benefit to be had from limiting the amount of salt we eat
.
The figures add to the “already overwhelming” evidence that salt is the chief cause that raises blood pressure, which in turn is the largest cause of stroke, heart attacks and heart failure, experts said.
.
Prof Graham MacGregor, one of the authors of the Lancet commentary, said: “Contrary to the claims by [Exeter scientists] and many press headlines, these new results, along with all the other evidence, clearly demonstrate that a reduction in the whole of the UK population and worldwide, is immensely important.
.
Prof Rod Taylor of Exeter University said the results of his team’s study published in the American Journal of Hypertension two weeks ago had been misinterpreted.
.
We do not believe our results necessarily mean that asking people to reduce their intake of salt is not a good thing”, he said.
.
Professor Francesco Cappuccio, of Warwick University, said the initial report was wrong to study people with normal and high blood pressure separately, and that grouping the results together showed a clear link between salt and high blood pressure.
.
He said: “The more you reduce your salt intake, the more the blood pressure falls.
.
Anything that can allow us to reduce blood pressure by a little … will significantly prevent cardiovascular disease.
.
Figures suggest that 4,400 deaths and 32,000 cardiovascular events like heart attacks and strokes could be prevented every year by Britons reducing their daily salt intake from 8.6g to 6g, he added
.
The recommended daily allowance of salt is 4g, but nutritionists say the body needs less than 1g each day to function properly.
.
About 75 per cent of all the salt we eat comes in packaged food such as bread and processed meats and cheese.
.
But salt intake in Britain is steadily reducing following a drive by health chiefs to increase awareness of the dangers and introduce clearer packaging in supermarkets.
.
There has also been a 30 per cent reduction in salt in pre-packed bread, 50 per cent in breakfast cereals and 25 per cent in pasta sauces and soups in recent years.
.
Nick Collins
Research from Exeter University published two weeks ago claimed there was no strong evidence to prove the benefits of a reduction in salt in your diet, prompting reports that salt had little or no effect on the chance of suffering strokes or heart attacks.
.
But a reanalysis of the same data has shown that there is indeed a significant benefit to be had from limiting the amount of salt we eat
.
The figures add to the “already overwhelming” evidence that salt is the chief cause that raises blood pressure, which in turn is the largest cause of stroke, heart attacks and heart failure, experts said.
.
Prof Graham MacGregor, one of the authors of the Lancet commentary, said: “Contrary to the claims by [Exeter scientists] and many press headlines, these new results, along with all the other evidence, clearly demonstrate that a reduction in the whole of the UK population and worldwide, is immensely important.
.
Prof Rod Taylor of Exeter University said the results of his team’s study published in the American Journal of Hypertension two weeks ago had been misinterpreted.
.
We do not believe our results necessarily mean that asking people to reduce their intake of salt is not a good thing”, he said.
.
Professor Francesco Cappuccio, of Warwick University, said the initial report was wrong to study people with normal and high blood pressure separately, and that grouping the results together showed a clear link between salt and high blood pressure.
.
He said: “The more you reduce your salt intake, the more the blood pressure falls.
.
Anything that can allow us to reduce blood pressure by a little … will significantly prevent cardiovascular disease.
.
Figures suggest that 4,400 deaths and 32,000 cardiovascular events like heart attacks and strokes could be prevented every year by Britons reducing their daily salt intake from 8.6g to 6g, he added
.
The recommended daily allowance of salt is 4g, but nutritionists say the body needs less than 1g each day to function properly.
.
About 75 per cent of all the salt we eat comes in packaged food such as bread and processed meats and cheese.
.
But salt intake in Britain is steadily reducing following a drive by health chiefs to increase awareness of the dangers and introduce clearer packaging in supermarkets.
.
There has also been a 30 per cent reduction in salt in pre-packed bread, 50 per cent in breakfast cereals and 25 per cent in pasta sauces and soups in recent years.
.
Nick Collins
No comments:
Post a Comment