- Excessive sodium intake is linked to high blood pressure, but insufficient sodium can also cause health issues like increased insulin resistance and higher LDL cholesterol.
- Low sodium diets may increase insulin resistance, a risk factor for type 2 diabetes and heart disease.
- Observational studies on low sodium diets and heart attacks or death show mixed results; some link low sodium to higher death risk in heart failure patients.
- Sodium restriction in people with diabetes is controversial, with studies showing both low and high sodium intake associated with increased mortality risk.
- Hyponatremia (low blood sodium) is more common in older adults and athletes, often due to excessive water intake without replacing lost sodium.
- The optimal sodium intake may follow a J-shaped curve, with both too little and too much being harmful; some suggest 3,000–5,000 mg per day as optimal.
- For healthy individuals, low sodium diets lack strong evidence for health benefits, and moderate salt consumption with whole foods is generally safe.