TUESDAY 20 AUGUST 2019JUST A PINCH
A more accurate test demonstrates the linear relationship between salt
intake and risk of death, says Feng He
Previous studies on salt intake used faulty testing methods (Getty/iStock)
The human body needs a tiny amount of sodium to function properly and this is typically found in salt
(sodium chloride). But today most people consume way too much salt, increasing the burden of
cardiovascular disease around the world.
Health professionals have been trying to tackle this problem for decades, but face several barriers, including
research that muddies the water about what safe levels of salt intake are. This has cast unnecessary doubt on
the importance of reducing intakes. But our latest research has found flaws in these studies and suggests
that salt intake should be reduced even further than current recommendations.