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East Salt Sparingly - Sprinkle, Don't Shake!, K E. Charlton, P L. Jooste

Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health - Papers: part A

The salt-blood pressure hypothesis states that an excessive salt intake leads to an increase in blood pressure in genetically susceptible persons and, if high intake is maintained long term, ultimately leads to sustained hypertension. It is estimated that about 3.3 million South Africans (12.6% and 16.3% of adult men and women, respectively) are hypertensive. However, not all subjects within a particular population respond equally to exposure to high-salt diets. Methods to identify those who are 'salt sensitive' remain in the research domain; therefore a population approach to the restriction of dietary salt intake is warranted. The message to 'eat salt …