Background

A reduction in salt intake lowers blood pressure (BP) and, thereby, reduces cardiovascular risk. A recent meta‐analysis by Graudal implied that salt reduction had adverse effects on hormones and lipids which might mitigate any benefit that occurs with BP reduction. However, Graudal's meta‐analysis included a large number of very short‐term trials with a large change in salt intake, and such studies are irrelevant to the public health recommendations for a longer‐term modest reduction in salt intake. We have updated our Cochrane meta‐analysis.

Objectives

To assess (1) the effect of a longer‐term modest reduction in salt intake (ie of public health relevance) on BP and whether there was a dose‐response relationship;(2) the effect on BP by sex and ethnic group;(3) the effect on plasma renin activity, aldosterone, noradrenaline, adrenaline, cholesterol, low‐density lipoprotein (LDL), high‐density lipoprotein (HDL) and triglycerides.