No link between salt intake, heart disease – Study

Findings from a recent study have shown that there is no link between the consumption of salt and the development of cardiovascular disease or heart failure in healthy older adults.  The study which was carried out by researchers at Emory University, and published in JAMA Internal Medicine looked at the link  between dietary sodium intake […]

Findings from a recent study have shown that there is no link between the consumption of salt and the development of cardiovascular disease or heart failure in healthy older adults. 

The study which was carried out by researchers at Emory University, and published in JAMA Internal Medicine looked at the link  between dietary sodium intake and mortality, cardiovascular disease or heart failure in a group of 2,642 healthy adults whose ages  range from 71 to 80. 

The researchers analyzed 10-year follow-up data on the adults, who were participating in this community-based study, where dietary sodium intake was assessed at baseline with a food frequency questionnaire.

According to Dr Steven Nissen, a cardiologist, there is an emerging evidence that salt is not as evil as many people have suggested. He did not participate in the study

Dr. Nissen who is also Chairman of the Robert and Suzanne Tomsich Department of Cardiovascular Medicine at Cleveland Clinic said, “Several recent studies seem to show that in otherwise healthy patients, fanatical measures are not necessary to control their salt intake. What they are suggesting here falls in line with other studies.

He said patients with other medical conditions will still need to modify their salt intake, adding “there are obviously other people who cannot take salt, namely those with hypertension or who are pre-hypertensive, but not on medications. They should not be included in this group.”

The cardiologist cited the food frequency questionnaire as a significant limitation of the study, noting that self-reported dietary intake has a high potential for inaccuracy.