Is it worth cutting down on salt?
Were often told to eat less salt, for the sake of our hearts. However, a new study suggests that, by itself, eating less salt doesnt make much difference to the chance of having a heart attack or stroke.
Theres no question that most of us eat more salt than we need, and that processed and junk food is often laden with salt. Its also beyond doubt that eating less salt can lower your blood pressure.
Unfortunately, getting people to eat less salt is quite hard work, and even when you do cut down on salt, often its not enough to make a big difference. In a newly published review of the evidence, the reduction in blood pressure from eating less salt was quite small.
That might explain why the review didnt find any evidence that cutting down on salt reduced peoples chances of having a heart attack or stroke, or of dying from heart problems. It may be that the reductions in blood pressure from reducing salt are not big enough to affect what happens to your heart and circulation.
It could also be that blood pressure-lowering drugs are also needed to make a real difference, for people with high blood pressure.
See more tips for how to lower your blood pressure and prevent heart disease.
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