Effect of Reduced Dietary Sodium on Blood Pressure

Diet and blood pressure in children

“…Although there is much evidence to support the beneficial effect of reducing sodium in salt-sensitive adults with hypertension [17][18][19], evidence for a direct relation between sodium and blood pressure level in children with hypertension has been less conclusive. A review of 37 published studies on sodium and blood pressure in youth by Simons-Morton and Obarzanek [20] indicated that, of studies conducted to date, only 3 included children with elevated blood pressure [21][22][23].…”

Salt and Blood Pressure

“…There have been many such experiments, and three recent meta-analyses-by Midgley et al (1996), Cutler et al (1997) (Graudal et al 1998(Graudal et al , 1389.…”

“…Thus, zero reduction in salt intake may well have an effect, depending on attendant circumstances. Generally, confounding due to flaws in experimental design-for instance, lack of blinding-can push the line away from the origin (Cutler et al 1997, 644S;Midgley et al 1996Midgley et al , 1592Graudal et al 1998Graudal et al , 1389Swales 2000, 4). Table 2 shows the estimated reduction in systolic and diastolic blood pressure (mm Hg) for normotensive and hypertensive subjects, corresponding to a 100 mmol per day reduction in urinary sodium.…”

“…On this scale, a 100 mmol reduction in sodium is striking. Cutler et al (1997) 2.3 1.4 5.8 2.5 Midgley et al (1996) 1.1 0.1 3.7 0.9 Graudal et al (1998) 0.8 0.2 3.6 1.6…”

The salt-blood pressure controversy: What are the issues?

“…Despite literally hundreds of studies of this issue in humans, description of the controversy as "The Great Salt War" [1] or "The Salt Saga" [2] continues, and the debate has been interjected with unsavory charges of commercialism, as well as the issue of public access to research data into what appears to be an important scientific and public health concern. The scientific evidence connecting salt to blood pressure has been subjected to meta-analyses, subgroup analyses, covariant and multifactorial analyses, and even to reanalysis by opponents of the concept [3][4][5][6][7]. Let us examine the substrate for this charged and emotional debate by identifying what the data have demonstrated and what questions remain unanswered.…”