Scientists at Vanderbilt University have determined that daily sodium intake exceeding 4,000 milligrams significantly increases the risk of heart failure.
Medianews.az, citing oxu.az, reports that the results of the study were published in the "JACC: Advances" journal of the American College of Cardiology.
Analysis of data from more than 25,300 people showed that participants consumed an average of 4,269 milligrams of sodium daily. This is approximately twice the recommended daily norm (2,300 mg). It is noted that the majority of sodium intake comes specifically from table salt.
Researchers identified that sodium consumption at this level increases the risk of heart failure by 15%. According to calculations, each additional 1,000 milligrams of sodium added to the daily diet raises the risk of the disease by 8%.
Heart failure is a pathological condition in which the heart is unable to supply the body with the necessary amount of blood.
According to the scientists, even a slight reduction in salt intake is of great importance for heart health. Calculations show that reducing daily sodium intake to 4,000 milligrams or less could decrease cases of heart failure by approximately 6.6% over the next ten years.