Eating less salt in food reduces blood pressure.

VerdictTrue

Checked against WHO, CDC

Eating less salt in food helps lower blood pressure. It works for adults with high or normal blood pressure, but some people still need medicine and regular BP checks.

What experts say

In adults, eating less salt for a few weeks can lower blood pressure.1
The drop in blood pressure is seen in men and women, and in different communities, including South Asian people.1
People with high blood pressure get a bigger drop than people with normal blood pressure.1
A high-salt diet raises the risk of high blood pressure. Eating a healthy diet with less salt helps lower blood pressure.2 3
Less salt is one of several lifestyle changes that help blood pressure, along with more fruits and vegetables, staying active, reaching a healthy weight, quitting tobacco and limiting alcohol.2 3

What to do

Eat less salt in your food and choose a healthy, low-salt diet.1 2 3
Check your blood pressure regularly and get it checked by a doctor or health worker.2
If you have high blood pressure, keep taking your medicine as your doctor says. Do not stop or share it.2
Other helpful habits are eating more fruits and vegetables, staying active, losing extra weight, quitting tobacco, and limiting alcohol.2 3