Hypertension (elevated blood pressure) is a condition that
significantly increases the risk of several diseases and is a major
cause of premature death worldwide. In the US, recent estimates
suggest that about half of the adult population has
hypertension.
At a population level, high sodium intake is one of the main
dietary risk factors. All population health guidelines recommend
keeping sodium intake below certain levels.
While, on average, blood pressure correlates with sodium
intake, there is a wide range of responses on an individual level.
People who see increasing sodium intake lead to increased blood
pressure are termed “salt sensitive”. Others, however, don’t see
much change in blood pressure with increased dietary sodium. Such
individuals are classed as “salt resistant”.
In this episode, Assistant Professor at Auburn University, Dr.
Austin Robinson, is on to discuss whether people who are salt
resistant need to keep their sodium intake low or not. And other
individual and group differences that exist for hypertension risk
and sodium physiology?
The podcast for lovers of nutrition science! Listen to detailed discussions with researchers and leading experts about the science of nutrition, dietetics and health.