Reducing salt in processed foods could lower rates of high blood pressure and heart disease

Two studies published in Hypertension modelled modest sodium reductions in store-bought foods in France and the U.K. and found those changes could lower population sodium intake and prevent thousands of cases of heart disease, stroke and death, including an estimated 1,100+ deaths averted in the French analysis and more than 100,000 heart disease cases and 25,000 strokes averted in the U.K. scenario over 20 years.

Two new studies published in the journal Hypertension modelled the effects of modest sodium reductions in commercially prepared and packaged foods. The research used national diet and health data from France and the United Kingdom, where some manufacturers have already lowered salt levels in store-bought items. The authors estimate that small declines in sodium content at scale could reduce blood pressure and lower rates of heart disease, stroke and death. Public health context noted in the reports includes widely shared estimates of high average sodium intake compared with recommended limits. Key findings: - A French analysis estimated that modest reductions in the salt content of bread could cut adults’ daily sodium intake by about 0.35 grams and was modelled to prevent more than 1,100 deaths. - A U.K. analysis estimated that similar reductions across packaged foods and takeout could reduce average daily sodium intake by about 17.5% and was modelled to prevent over 100,000 cases of heart disease and 25,000 strokes over 20 years. - The reports and interviewed experts note that many people eat substantially more sodium than recommended; U.S. adults’ average intake was reported as about 3,500 milligrams daily versus a general guideline of 2,300 milligrams. - Analysts cited that a large share of dietary sodium comes from processed or externally prepared foods rather than from salt added at the table. Summary: The studies suggest that modest, population-wide reductions in sodium content of processed and prepared foods could lower blood pressure and reduce the number of heart disease and stroke cases over time. Undetermined at this time.