Commentary: The Salt and Hypertension Issue Today

Abstract

SummaryIn spite of much evidence that sodium chloride (common salt) does not cause hypertension in Caucasians with normal renal function, low salt diets are still being recommended for the population. There is increasing concern about the harmful effects of the universal adoption of low salt diet by the normal population. Low salt diet may be an exacerbating factor in the increasingly common condition of hyponatraemia, particularly in the elderly, chronic sick and those with renal inability to retain sodium. Of particular concern is the possibility of brain damage, mental illness and the development of Alzheimer's disease. There is increased mortality amongst people taking low salt diets. As previously advocated [1], there should be a moratorium on population salt deprivation policies.