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Eating just two teaspoons of salt a day damages the heart, new research suggests.
Having a sodium intake of 3.73 grams, the equivalent of around two teaspoons of salt, is associated with larger heart chambers, a study found.
Previous research suggests hearts become enlarged when the muscle is overworked due to an underlying condition, such as high blood pressure.
Such a salt intake also increases strain on the heart’s muscle and boosts its beating rate, the research adds.
These results are thought to be due to salt’s impact on blood pressure, which previous research reveals is linked to heart attacks, stroke and kidney disease.
The NHS recommends adults eat no more than around one-and-a-quarter teaspoons of salt a day, which is easily exceeded if people eat ready-prepared food.
How the study was carried out
Researchers from Harvard University analyzed the association between sodium intake and heart outcomes in 2,996 people with an average age of 49.
They estimated sodium intake by examining the participant’s urine.
The researchers carried out ultrasound tests to determine the participant’s heart’s structure.
Salt increases muscle strain and heart rate
Results reveal that the study’s participant’s average daily sodium intake of 3.73 grams is associated with larger heart chambers.
Previous research has suggested hearts become enlarged when the muscle has to work harder than it should, which implies an underlying condition, such as high blood pressure.
A 3.73 gram sodium intake was also found to be linked to increased heart muscle strain and beating rate.
The study’s results are thought to be due to sodium’s impact on blood pressure.
Previous research reveals eating too much salt causes bodies to retain water, which leads to a rise in blood pressure.
High blood pressure puts a strain on the heart, arteries, kidneys and brain, which can lead to heart attacks, strokes and kidney disease.
The authors wrote: ‘[A sodium intake of] >3.7 g/day is associated with adverse cardiac remodeling, and worse strain and velocity.’
The findings were published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology
