Endothelial function is impaired after a high-salt meal in healthy subjects.

High-salt diets may impair endothelial function in healthy individuals.

This study evaluated the effect of dietary salt on endothelial function. Researchers assigned 16 healthy subjects with normal blood pressures into two groups. One group was placed on high-salt diets and the second group was given low-salt meals. The blood pressures and endothelial functions of all the subjects were assessed before and after meals at intervals of 30, 60, 90, and 120min.

Researchers observed a significant impairment in flow mediated dilatation (FMD)-an indicator of endothelial function- 30 minutes after the consumption of a high-salt meal. However, no significant changes were found in the blood pressure values of all the subjects after dietary intervention with high- and low-salt meals. The findings of this study show that ingestion of large quantity of salts may have a negative effective on vascular dilatation and cardiovascular health in healthy individuals.