Last Updated on April 19, 2026
For years, we have thought that a low salt diet is extremely beneficial to our health. We know that tons of salt can cause cholesterol and blood pressure to go through the roof. But a recent study could change everything we thought we knew about salt and our health. The study was originally published in The Lancet medical journal and reveals the exact opposite of what we believed to be true.
What we have known is that our bodies need salt, but how much is beneficial and at what level it becomes harmful we don’t know. For years, it’s been recommended that people try and keep a low-sodium diet. But new research has shown that a low-sodium diet may do more harm than good for some people.
The study looked at 130,000 people from all across the world and looked at the correlation between the amount of salt they took in and death, cardiovascular complications and strokes in people with both high blood pressure and low blood pressure. The results of the study showed that both groups of people with low salt diets had more heart attacks, deaths, strokes than those with an average salt intake.
Because salt is a necessary ingredient for our body, depriving it could increase the risk of having cardiovascular complications. But for diabetics they should still be cautious of adding too much salt! While this data hints that too little salt could be harmful, we know that too much salt can be harmful as well. Basically, that information shouldn’t impact your diet, yet. If you’re diabetic, consult with your doctor about your diet before making any major changes, especially before cutting out salt.
But before you start adding salt to anything and everything, you should realize that the journal that published the article, The Lancet, has been attacked for having published the research. Several scientists have come forward and said that “such bad science” shouldn’t be published. Critics of the article say that the data used in the article were from previous studies that also had flaws. They also pointed out that the measurements of the salt intake were flawed because of other factors in the study participants. With all of these problems in the study, the results should be taken with a grain of salt.
The biggest take away from the study is that you shouldn’t try and minimize your sodium intake drastically. Just like eating too much salt is unhealthy, so is not enough salt. But where is the sweet spot? Experts say that, just like everything else, moderation is key. A balance of vegetables, fruits, and exercise is the key to reducing your cardiovascular health. And some salt isn’t going to kill you.
While the research has been discounted by a lot of experts, we shouldn’t completely throw out these findings. Hopefully, this article will spring board more research groups into looking at the impact of a low-sodium diet on the body. Until more research comes out, don’t completely throw away your saltshaker, but don’t add any extra salt to your food either.
