Does intake of salt induce obesity?
Nov 13, 2008
A recent study conducted by Dr. Heikki Karppanen (Professor at University of Helsinki) and Dr. Eero Mervaala (Professor at University of Kuopio) reported that there was a decrease of 70-75 percent in the stroke and coronary heart diseases in the population of less than 65 years. This was a result of reduced salt intake of up to 35% for a period spanning 30 long years in Finland. Life expectancy of Finns went up by 6 to 7 years in both the genders.
The study that was published in the journal "Progress in Cardiovascular Diseases" attributed the favorable change to a decrease in average blood pressure by 10 mmHg. The other reason for the significant drop in heart diseases was a fall in the average blood cholesterol levels. It also pointed out to the fact that it was only in 10 % of cases that this drop in average blood pressure and cholesterol level was induced by extensive use of drugs. Mostly it was attributed to reduction of salt intake.
Professor Karppanen observed that from mid 80’s to late 90’s, the sales figures of salt showed an increase of more than 50 % in USA. In the same period a remarkable increasing trend was noticed in average blood pressure level of the population.
Another interesting fact that was pointed out in the study was the association of salt consumption and obesity. It observed that intake of salt resulted in progressive increase in thirst. This in turn led to increase in consumption of beverages resulting in intake of loads of calories among US population in the same period.
As compared to 1971, the energy intake from sweetened beverages went up to about 135% in 2001 while the energy intake from natural sweetners like milk went down by about 38%. The average calorie intake increased to about 278 kcal per person per day. According to the American Heart Association estimates, to burn out this extra intake of calories it needed an increase in the exercise or walk time of about 70 minutes every day.
According to the study, the obesity in men rose by 61% and in women by 52% in the period 1988 – 1994 as compared to the figures of the period 1976 – 1980. The same percentages increased to 120% for men and 99% for women in the period 1999 to 2002. There was an obvious association of higher salt intake, inducing thirst in people and thus resulting in consumption of more high-calorie beverages contributing majorly to the higher obesity in US.
In the study Professor Karppanen summarizes that "the repeated warnings of various industries on possible harmful effects of comprehensive salt reduction are unjustified and even unethical".
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November 13th, 2008 at 5:20 pm
[...] Does intake of salt induce obesity? [...]
November 18th, 2008 at 10:07 pm
[...] Does intake of salt induce obesity? [...]
November 24th, 2008 at 7:14 pm
[...] Does intake of salt induce obesity? [...]
December 9th, 2008 at 4:17 am
[...] Does intake of salt induce obesity? [...]
December 10th, 2008 at 1:06 am
[...] Does intake of salt induce obesity? [...]
December 13th, 2008 at 11:08 pm
[...] Does intake of salt induce obesity? [...]