Scientists explained the benefits of reducing the amount of salt in the diet

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People who suffer from heart failure and reduce the use of sodium – table salt – live better. Salt “detoxification” improves the quality of life of such patients and reduces symptoms, but it cannot be considered a panacea. Also, it will not guarantee that a person with a heart disease will live longer. Scientists from the University of Alberta in Canada came to this conclusion.

More than 800 patients from Canada, the USA and other countries took part in the study. All of them suffered from heart failure, a syndrome that occurs when the heart's pumping function deteriorates, resulting in its inability to pump blood effectively.

Half of the participants were given advice on how to reduce their salt intake and urged them to avoid processed foods , as well as cooking food at home without salty ingredients. As a result, salt intake in this group dropped from a total of 2,217 mg daily to 1,658 mg. Participants who were given no guidance reduced their salt intake to 2,072 mg per day.

During the study, there was no difference between the two groups in how many people died or were hospitalized for heart problems. However, the scientists note that the condition and quality of life of the participants of the experiment who reduced their salt intake improved.

Currently, the researchers continue to work in the direction they started: looking for ways to identify patients who will benefit most from a low-sodium diet. They also plan to check the health of the study participants after 24 months and five years. Perhaps new data may point to other benefits of salt restriction.