Salt Questions · Health & nutrition
Can eating too little salt be dangerous for your heart?
Short answer
This is debated. Some large observational studies, such as PURE (2014), reported more heart problems at very low sodium intakes, suggesting a J-shaped curve. Critics say those studies measured sodium unreliably and included sick people who eat less. Major health bodies still recommend most adults cut sodium, since most people eat far more than the levels in question.
Possible at very low intakes, but evidence is disputed; most people eat far more
The J-curve debate
The PURE study of about 100,000 people in 17 countries estimated sodium intake from a single urine sample. It found higher risk both at high intakes and at low intakes (below about 3,000 mg a day), with the lowest risk in between.
Why many experts are sceptical
- A single morning urine sample is an imprecise measure of daily sodium.
- People who are already ill often eat less, so low intake can be a result of disease rather than a cause (reverse causation).
- Controlled trials consistently show that lowering sodium lowers blood pressure.
What the guidelines say
WHO and the American Heart Association continue to recommend reducing sodium for most adults. Some people need more salt on medical advice, such as those with certain forms of low blood pressure. Follow your own doctor's guidance.
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Cite this page
For school projects and reports. Teachers often prefer the original sources too: see the list below.
The Salt Almanac. (2026, November 8). Can eating too little salt be dangerous for your heart. https://saltalmanac.com/answers/can-eating-too-little-salt-be-dangerous-for-your-heart
“Can eating too little salt be dangerous for your heart.” The Salt Almanac, 8 Nov. 2026, saltalmanac.com/answers/can-eating-too-little-salt-be-dangerous-for-your-heart. Accessed [today's date].
“Can eating too little salt be dangerous for your heart.” The Salt Almanac. Last modified November 8, 2026. https://saltalmanac.com/answers/can-eating-too-little-salt-be-dangerous-for-your-heart.
Original sources
- O'Donnell M, et al. Urinary sodium and potassium excretion, mortality, and cardiovascular events. New England Journal of Medicine, 2014. https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa1311889
- American Heart Association. How much sodium should I eat per day? https://www.heart.org/en/healthy-living/healthy-eating/eat-smart/sodium/how-much-sodium-should-i-eat-per-day
- World Health Organization. Sodium reduction (fact sheet). https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/sodium-reduction