Cardiovascular health: this change in your diet could prove beneficial

Les substituts de sel permettraient de réduire l'incidence de l'hypertension chez les personnes âgées, révèle une étude. dusanpetkovic/Getty Images

Tobacco, lack of regular physical activity and stress can increase the risk of hypertension, and therefore cardiovascular disease, as can a diet high in fat and salt. A recent study suggests that a simple change in diet could make a significant difference. Explanations.

Responsible for strokes, myocardial infarction, or even heart failure, hypertension affects one in three adults in the world , based on data published in September 2023 by the World Health Organization (WHO).

The health authority specifies that age and genetic predispositions constitute risk factors, but that the latter can also be linked to lifestyle, and in particular to the absence of # 39;physical activity, excessive alcohol consumption or a diet high in salt. It is this last point that interested a team of Chinese researchers, who compared the impact of salt substitutes on hypertension.

A study carried out with 611 participants

"Adults often fall into the trap of consuming too much salt through easily accessible and cheap processed foods. It is essential to recognize the impact of our food choices on heart health and raise awareness of low sodium options, says Director Professor Yangfeng Wu executive director of the Clinical Research Institute of Peking University, and lead author of this work, in a press release.

The researchers conducted this study with 611 participants aged 55 and over residing in 48 healthcare establishments, whom they divided into two groups. Twenty-four healthcare establishments, bringing together 313 participants, swapped the salt usually used for a substitute, while the twenty-four other establishments, this time bringing together 298 participants, did not change their habits.

Important detail, the authors of this work specify that the participants had a blood pressure lower than 140/90 mmHg – therefore no hypertension – at the start of the study, and that they did not were not taking treatment for hypertension. Another fact to note: the researchers do not specify which substitute was used.

Replace rather than deprive yourself

Published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology, this work suggests a lower risk of hypertension in participants who consumed the salt alternative. In detail, the researchers estimate the incidence of hypertension in these participants at 11.7 per 100 person-years, compared to 24.3 per 100 person-years in those who continued to use salt. classic. Another interesting figure: using a salt substitute reduced the risk of developing hypertension by 40% compared to participants who consumed regular salt. Note also that the substitute did not have an impact on possible episodes of hypotension in the elderly, "un common problem" specify the scientists.

"Our results demonstrate a tremendous advance in blood pressure maintenance, allowing people to maintain their health and minimize risks potential cardiovascular health, while still having the opportunity to add delicious flavor to their favorite dishes. Given its hypotensive effect, proven in previous studies, salt substitute proves beneficial for all people, whether hypertensive or normotensive, and therefore constitutes a desirable strategy for prevention and the control of hypertension and cardiovascular diseases", rejoices Professor Yangfeng Wu.

Beyond the impact that the introduction of salt substitutes into a diet can represent, researchers recommend adopting them "from the start of the food chain", in other words in the development of dishes and foods by the agri-food industry. An initiative that would make processed foods less harmful to your health.