It may not be the best time to hear this, considering many people probably recently consumed a huge Thanksgiving meal; however, a new meta-analysis suggests that we stop binging on salt. Not only does it put people at greater risk for elevated blood pressure, but the research finds that it could lead to a greater risk of cardiovascular disease and stroke.
The meta-analysis, published in the BMJ, found that decreasing daily salt intake to 5 grams (about a teaspoon) was associated with a 23 percent lower stroke rate and a 17 percent difference in the rate of cardiovascular disease. MedPage Today reports that on average, Americans’ daily salt intake is about 10 grams, while the World Heath Organization suggests only 5 grams per day.
The review analyzed thirteen studies which included more than 170,000 people and now recommends that salt intake should be reduced by 5 grams around the world. According to HealthDay, the researchers claim this change could prevent about a million deaths from stroke and almost three million deaths due to cardiovascular disease worldwide.
