According to a study at Imperial College London and Northwestern University, healthy diet may not offset the effects of a high salt intake on blood pressure. Researchers analysed the diets of different people and discovered that people that eat higher amounts of salt had higher blood pressure, no matter how healthy their overall diet is.

High blood pressure affects more than one in four adults, it increases the risk of heart attacks and stroke. Vitamins and minerals in fruit and vegetables might affect blood vessels, enabling them to lower blood pressure but cannot correct the damage done by salty diets. Eating high amounts of fruit and vegetables can not counteract the effect of high salt on blood pressure.

Researchers studied data from INTERMAP study. The study was conducted between 1997-1999, scientists tracked the diets of 4,680 people, aged 40-59, from the USA, UK, Japan and China. The volunteers were tracked over four days, and two urine samples were taken during this time. Measurements of height, weight and blood pressure were also taken.

They assessed concentrations of sodium and potassium in the urine samples. Sodium is the main component of salt, while potassium is found in green leafy vegetables has been linked to lower blood pressure. The team also used dietary data to assess the volunteers’ intake of over 80 nutrients that may be linked to low blood pressure, including vitamin C, fibre, and omega-3 fatty acids. Many of these nutrients are found in fruit, vegetables and whole grains.

The researchers found a correlation between high blood pressure and higher salt intake, even in people who were eating a high amount of potassium and other nutrients. The researchers estimated salt intake by analysing sodium in the urine, as well as analysing dietary data.

Blood pressure is measured in two numbers – the systolic pressure, measures the force the heart pumps blood around the body while diastolic pressure is the resistance to blood flow in the arteries. Ideally, blood pressure should be between 90/60 and 120/80 mmHg. However, reducing blood pressure by just a small amount can reduce the risk of stroke and heart disease.

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