Researchers reveal that replacing regular salt with a salt substitute can significantly reduce the risk of hypertension in older adults without increasing the risk of low blood pressure episodes
Hypertension, or high blood pressure, is a leading risk factor for cardiovascular disease and mortality, affecting over 1.4 billion adults worldwide and resulting in millions of deaths each year.
What your dietary choice does to your body
Led by Dr. Yangfeng Wu, Executive Director of Peking University Clinical Research Institute in Beijing, China, the study emphasises the impact of dietary choices on heart health and the importance of lower-sodium options. Dr. Wu highlights the prevalence of excess salt consumption in processed foods and the need for increased public awareness of healthier alternatives.
The study, DECIDE-Salt, focused on evaluating sodium reduction strategies among elderly adults living in care facilities in China. Over 600 participants aged 55 years and older were divided into two groups: one using a salt substitute and the other continuing with regular salt. None of the participants used anti-hypertension medications at the beginning of the study.
After two years of follow-up, participants using the salt substitute experienced a 40% lower incidence of hypertension compared to those using regular salt. This finding emphasises salt substitutes’ effectiveness in controlling blood pressure and suggests a promising solution for hypertension prevention and management.
Salt substitutes and low blood pressure
The study found no evidence of hypotension or low blood pressure among participants using the salt substitute, addressing a common concern in older adults. Dr. Wu emphasises the significance of these results in protecting heart health and reducing cardiovascular risks while still enjoying flavorful meals.
Despite the promising findings, the study acknowledges certain limitations, including its post-hoc nature and loss of follow-up visits in some participants. However, multiple sensitivity analyses support the robustness of the results, providing confidence in the effectiveness of salt substitutes.
Dr. Rik Olde Engberink from Amsterdam University Medical Center highlights the potential of salt substitutes as an alternative strategy to reduce salt intake globally. Dr. Olde Engberink suggests early adoption of salt substitutes by the food industry to improve the sodium-potassium ratio of processed foods, further enhancing their impact on blood pressure outcomes.
By advocating for the widespread use of salt substitutes, healthcare professionals aim to influence individuals to make healthier dietary choices and protect their heart health.
