Study Shows Low Sodium Intake Linked to Health Problems

The Wall Street Journal recently published an article stating that people who consume less than 3,000 milligrams of sodium per day are at a higher risk for heart attack and stroke within the period of low sodium intake. The claim is based on a study published in the New England Journal of Medicine.

The study tracked 100,000 people, from 17 different countries, over an average period of three years. And while participants who consumed less than 3,000 milligrams of sodium per day were at higher risk for disease, so were participants who consumed more than 6,000 milligrams. Suzanne Oparil, professor of medicine at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, is an expert on high blood pressure and claims this new study “adds a pretty big weight on the side that low salt intake is associated with harm.”

While this study is bringing new material to the table, The American Heart Association is not convinced of the new findings due to how the study was conducted and continues to recommend people reduce their sodium intake.
​
To read more about the study, visit The Wall Street Journal.