How does reducing salt intake affect blood pressure in different individuals?
According to a new study, reducing table salt lowers blood pressure in everyone! The effect of salt consumption is observed in all individuals. Reducing salt intake lowers blood pressure regardless of whether one suffers from high blood pressure or not.However, the effect is greatest in those with high blood pressure.The study also indicates that older…
According to a new study, reducing table salt lowers blood pressure in everyone!
The effect of salt consumption is observed in all individuals. Reducing salt intake lowers blood pressure regardless of whether one suffers from high blood pressure or not. However, the effect is greatest in those with high blood pressure. The study also indicates that older individuals benefit more from reducing salt intake than others. Additionally, the recent research shows that the effect increases the more salt consumption is reduced.
Excessive salt consumption is a well-known significant risk factor for high blood pressure and related diseases.
Salt consumption in Finland
Finnish men consume about 10 grams and women 7 grams of table salt daily, which is approximately twice the recommended amount. Most of this comes from restaurant food and hidden salt in processed foods (e.g., bread, cheese, and ready-made meals).
How to reduce salt consumption?
The most problematic sources of salt are often ready-made meals and processed foods, not, for example, adding a pinch of salt to boiling potatoes or lightly seasoning morning porridge. It’s advisable to avoid high-salt ready-made meals and restaurant dishes.
When seasoning food, you can use spices and health-promoting herbs instead of salt. Garlic and lemon are also excellent ways to add flavor to food without adding salt.
How does lifestyle choices affect blood pressure?
Both genetics and lifestyle influence blood pressure. In addition to reducing salt intake, blood pressure can be managed through other healthy lifestyle choices, such as:
Strength training
Reducing alcohol consumption
Weight management
Striving to reduce stress
Lifestyle changes and generally healthy habits support the prevention of lifestyle diseases like hypertension.
When making lifestyle changes, it’s worth monitoring your health and improvements, for example, through home blood pressure measurements, various fitness tests, and familiar Puhti laboratory tests!
Sources
Uutispalvelu Duodecim. Suolan vähentäminen alentaa kaikkien verenpainetta. 9.3.2020
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