Every extra gram eaten each day increases obesity risk by 25 per cent
Research led by Professor Graham MacGregor of Queen Marry University suggests salt modifies metabolism, altering the way the body absorbs fat
That salt consumption is linked to high blood pressure is widely known
But this is the first study of its kind that links salt directly to obesity
Eating too much salt may be a trigger for obesity – no matter how many calories of other food you consume.
British scientists found that every extra gram of salt that a person eats each day increases their risk of obesity by 25 per cent.
Even when they took into account the total amount of food individuals ate, salt still seemed to be a major factor in a person’s weight.
Researchers led by Professor Graham MacGregor of Queen Mary University of London have produced the first study of its kind that links salt directly to obesity
Doctors have known for some time that salt consumption is linked to high blood pressure, making it a risk factor for heart disease.
But this is the first study of its kind that links salt directly to obesity.
The researchers, led by Professor Graham MacGregor of Queen Mary University of London, said they could not be sure exactly why salt has such a profound impact.
But they suspect that it modifies the metabolism, altering the way the body absorbs fat.
Writing in the journal Hypertension, the scientists said: ‘These results suggest that salt intake is a potential risk factor for obesity independent of energy intake.’
But other professionals urged caution, saying the findings were unreliable because people in the study self-reported how much they ate.
The research used data for more than 450 children and 780 adults from the UK National Diet and Nutrition Survey 2008/2009 to 2011/2012.
Experts analysed urine samples over 24 hours and calculated calorie intake from a four-day diary.
The results showed that salt intake in urine was higher in people who were overweight or obese, with an extra gram of salt a day leading to a more than 20 per cent increase in the chance of being heavy.
Professor MacGregor, who is chairman of Consensus Action on Salt and Health, said: ‘The food we eat is now the biggest cause of ill health through its high salt, fat and sugar content added by the food industry.
British scientists found that every extra gram of salt that a person eats each day increases their risk of obesity by 25 per cent
‘High blood pressure and obesity both lead to the development of cardiovascular disease, stroke, heart attacks and heart failure, which are the commonest causes of death and disability in the UK.
‘Obesity also predisposes to type 2 diabetes, which further increases the risks of cardiovascular disease and can lead to severe complications.
‘Such an epidemic will cripple the NHS if the increase in these diet related issues are not stopped immediately.’
The NHS suggests we eat no more than 6g salt a day – but the latest statistics show we are eating far more than we require, at 8.1g per day on average.
Professor Susan Jebb, a government advisor and diet expert at the University of Oxford, urged caution.
‘Since energy intake was self-reported there is no way to be confident in this assertion,’ she said.
‘Salt reduction is important to reduce cardiovascular risk but the combination of a weak study design and lack of any strong mechanistic basis for the association between salt and fatness means that this study should not detract from the main cause of weight gain which is consuming too many calories.
‘I would not want to see the public misled by the publicity around this paper into thinking that cutting salt alone will reduce their risk of obesity or help them to lose weight.’
Victoria Taylor, senior dietitian at the British Heart Foundation, said: ‘It’s well established that we should be reducing the amount of salt we eat to help avoid high blood pressure, a risk factor for cardiovascular disease and the link between salt intake and obesity identified in this research could be another reason for us to do this.
‘Most of the salt we eat is already in the foods we buy, which is why checking nutritional information on packs to make sure we are making the healthiest choice is important to help limit the amount of salt we are eating.’
Barbara Gallani, director of science and health at the Food and Drink Federation, said: ‘We know that salt intakes in the UK are currently exceeding dietary recommendations, and the food industry has worked hard over a number of years to reduce the levels of salt in foods.
‘As a direct result of the work industry has taken, salt intakes in the UK have fallen by 1.4g/day over the last 10 years, and this work is continuing.
‘The suggestion of a direct link between salt intakes and obesity that CASH has reported is interesting, although more research is needed to identify any potential mechanisms involved.
‘In any case, obesity is a complex issue and should be tackled via a range of initiatives including better nutrition education and provision of choice to consumers, rather than through an over simplistic focus on individual nutrients.’
Source: Daily Mail
