New research co-authored by Timothy Plante, M.D.’11, M.H.S., assistant professor of medicine at the Larner College of Medicine at the University of Vermont, with colleagues from the Chan Medical School at the University of Massachusetts and Johns Hopkins University shows that reducing sodium and following a heart-healthy diet called the DASH diet (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) lower the 10-year risk of heart disease, Mirage reports.
Most Americans consume far more sodium than recommended, with the average intake topping 3,400 milligrams (mg) per day—well above the recommended federal guideline of 2,300 mg and the American Heart Association’s goal of 1,500 mg. The bulk of Americans’ daily sodium doesn’t come from the saltshaker, but from processed and restaurant foods like breads, deli meats, and canned soups. Health experts warn this excess is fueling a national epidemic of high blood pressure, a major risk factor for heart disease and stroke.