Physical activity may diminish the negative impact of a high-salt diet on blood pressure, a new study suggests.
Researchers found that the more people exercise, the less their blood pressure will rise in response to a high-salt diet.
“For those with low physical activity, their blood pressure will increase more if they increase their sodium intake,” said study co-author Dr. Jiang He, chair of the department of epidemiology at the Tulane University School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine in New Orleans.
“It’s a little bit of a surprise,” He added. “But this is the first study to look at this particular association between physical activity and salt sensitivity and blood pressure. But after thinking it over it makes sense, because we already know that physical activity will reduce blood pressure.”
High blood pressure, or hypertension, is a leading cause of stroke. Because of salt’s association with high blood pressure, the American Heart Association recommends consuming less than 1,500 milligrams (mg) of sodium per day.