DIETARY SALT AND HYPERTENSION

It is likely that extreme salt restriction will lower blood-pressure, but it would be premature to advocate such massive public-health measures as reducing the sodium content of food.

Abstract

It has been argued that hypertension in developed countries is largely or wholly the result of excessive salt intake. As a result there are substantial pressures to reduce salt ingestion. Although it is likely that extreme salt restriction will lower blood-pressure, this is not a practical possibility. Evidence in favour of a more modest limitation of salt intake is conflicting and the possible harmful effects of salt restriction have not been assessed. Until more conclusive evidence is obtained it would be premature to advocate such massive public-health measures as reducing the sodium content of food.