Did less salt in food mean less salt in people's bodies?
Sodium Reduction Legislation and Urinary Sodium and Blood Pressure in South Africa.
Not medical advice. For informational purposes only. Always consult a healthcare professional. Terms
Surprising Findings
A national policy led to measurable, sustained reductions in population-level salt intake and blood pressure in a rural setting.
Many assume food regulations don’t reach rural or low-income communities, but this study shows they can have real impact even outside cities.
Practical Takeaways
Support or advocate for food policies that limit added sodium in processed foods.
Not medical advice. For informational purposes only. Always consult a healthcare professional. Terms
Surprising Findings
A national policy led to measurable, sustained reductions in population-level salt intake and blood pressure in a rural setting.
Many assume food regulations don’t reach rural or low-income communities, but this study shows they can have real impact even outside cities.
Practical Takeaways
Support or advocate for food policies that limit added sodium in processed foods.
Publication
Journal
JAMA cardiology
Year
2025
Authors
Thomas Gaziano, D. Kapaon, Jacques D Du Toit, Nigel J. Crowther, Alisha Wade, June Fabian, C. Riumallo-Herl, F. C. Roberts-Toler, X. Gómez-Olivé, S. Tollman
Related Content
Claims (4)
People around the world tend to eat more salt than doctors recommend—usually 3 to 5 grams a day instead of the suggested 2 to 2.4 grams—because we naturally like the taste of salt, so we keep eating it even when we know we shouldn't.
After South Africa started limiting salt in processed foods, people in a rural area were found to be eating less salt — and that drop stayed steady for years.
In older adults in rural South Africa, the less salt they eat, the lower their blood pressure tends to be — every gram of salt saved drops blood pressure by a small but measurable amount.
After South Africa introduced rules to reduce salt in food, more older adults in rural areas started eating less salt — the number doubled from 7% to 17%.