Type 2 Diabetes Correlated to High Salt Intake, Says New Research

Those at risk of developing type 2 diabetes already know how to avoid sugar, but new research suggests they may want to skip the salt, too. A Tulane University study published in Mayo Clinic Proceedings found that frequent dietary salt is associated with an increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes. The study surveyed more than 400,000 adults registered with the UK Biobank about their salt intake. During an average follow-up of 11.8 years, more than 13,000 cases of type 2 diabetes developed among the participants.

Compared to those who "never" or "rarely" consumed salt, participants who "sometimes," "usually," or "always" added salt had a 13%, 20%, and 39% higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes , respectively, as per pharmabiz. "We already know that limiting salt can reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease and hypertension, but this study shows for the first time that removing a pinch of salt from the table can also help prevent type 2 diabetes," said lead researcher Dr. Lu Qi. Of the study. HCA Regents Endowed Chair and Professor Tulane University School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine. More research is needed to determine why high salt intake may be associated with a higher risk of type 2 diabetes.

However, Qi believes that salt encourages people to eat larger portions, increasing the chance of developing risk factors such as obesity and inflammation. The study found an association between frequent salt consumption and higher BMI and waist-to-hip ratio. Qi said the next step is to conduct a clinical trial to control the amount of salt consumed by the participants and observe the effects. Still, Qi said it's never too early to start looking for low-sodium ways to spice up your favorite foods. "It's not hard to do, but it can have a huge impact on health," Qi said.