Sodium

Studies in people

• Open question

  Blood pressure and heart health³

  In people, eating less sodium lowers blood pressure, and this is linked to fewer heart deaths.

• Concern

  Blood pressure risk⁴

  Eating more sodium was linked to a higher risk of high blood pressure in adults.

• Open question

  Blood pressure⁵

  Eating less sodium lowered blood pressure in people, and the drop was bigger for those starting with higher pressure.

• Concern

  Skin condition risk⁶

  In adults, higher estimated sodium intake was linked to more eczema, but the studies cannot prove cause.

• Benefit

  Lifespan and death rates⁷

  In people, eating more sodium was linked to longer life and fewer deaths, but scientists say this doesn't prove cause.

• Benefit

  Blood pressure in people⁸

  In people with high blood pressure, a four-month lifestyle program lowered sodium intake and blood pressure.

Study type not stated

• Open question

  Blood pressure in kidney disease⁹

  In kidney disease, less sodium lowers blood pressure, but long-term benefits are unclear.

• Concern

  Blood pressure and heart risk¹⁰

  Eating too much sodium is linked to high blood pressure, heart disease and stroke.

The signal at the top counts the findings in people and in animal and lab studies. A concern in studies of people outranks animal and lab studies, and “No concerns” needs at least two findings in people. Findings whose study type is not stated are shown but not counted. This page is a reference, not medical advice. It describes what regulators and published research say. Talk to a doctor or dietitian about your own diet.