Is Salt a Culprit or an Innocent Bystander in Hypertension? A Hypothesis Challenging the Ancient Paradigm

For decades the notion that an excessive consumption of salt (NaCl) leads to hypertension has persisted. However, this idea is based on opinion, not scientific proof. Despite this, every health organization, agency, and clinicians around the world have been advising salt restriction, especially to hypertensive patients. The present review article suggests that the consumption of a high-salt diet is not the cause of hypertension and that there are other factors, such as added sugars, which are causative for inducing hypertension and cardiovascular disease. (C) 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.