The American Heart Association, the American College of Cardiology, and nine other groups have redefined what is considered high blood pressure: 130 over 80 instead of the former 140 over 90. The former figure has been standard for 14 years. (Normal blood pressure remains less than 120 over 80.)
Current guidelines recommend limiting sodium intake to 2,300 milligrams a day for healthy people—with the FDA intent on lowering it further. However, during the study it was found that healthy adults consuming less than 2,500 milligrams of sodium a day had higher blood pressure than participants who consumed higher amounts of sodium.
Food allergies and sensitivities are rampant in the American populace. And food allergies in children actually increased by 50% between 1997 and 2011. This has led researchers to a greater understanding of true nutrition, and how it can be unique to each person.
Rigorous studies showed that when salt consumption is reduced, blood pressure is just as likely to rise (~15%) as it is to decline (~18%). The other 70% of subjects had no change in their blood pressure when salt was reduced in their diets (1). Moreover, most recent research shows that significant reduction in dietary salt increased death events from cardiovascular disease, the very thing these regulations hoped to prevent.
Sodium is key to mitigating migraines and also helping you feel your best after fitness. Learn the connections and how sodium can help you feel your best.
