At Oriems Fit Research Digest, we break down fascinating studies to spark curiosity, simplify science, and empower informed decisions about health and wellness.

We know that health claims can be confusing, and not all information online is trustworthy. That’s why we only share peer-reviewed research from top universities and medical institutions—and we always provide links to the original studies, so you can fact-check, collect, and explore for yourself.

Today, we’re diving into a study from Tel Aviv University that questions a long-standing belief: Is salt really the main cause of high blood pressure, or is there more to the story? Let’s find out!

The Research at a Glance

• Title: The Role of Caloric Intake in the Association of High Salt Intake with High Blood Pressure
• Authors: Naftali Stern, Assaf Buch, Rebecca Goldsmith, and colleagues
• Where It Was Done: Tel Aviv University & Israeli Ministry of Health
• Published In: Scientific Reports (2021)
• Participants: 582 adults from Israel, aged 25–65 years
• Study Period: 2015–2017
• Key Measurement: 24-hour urine sodium excretion (the gold standard for tracking salt intake)

Tel Aviv University is one of Israel’s leading medical research institutions, recognized globally for its contributions to public health and medical science.

How Did They Study It?

📌 Participants: 582 Israeli adults, ages 25–65, from different socioeconomic backgrounds.
📌 Salt Intake Measurement: 24-hour urine sodium excretion (most accurate method, capturing ~90% of ingested salt).
📌 Calorie Intake Tracking: 105-item food frequency questionnaire + 24-hour dietary recall.
📌 Blood Pressure Measurement: OMRON M2 digital monitor – systolic and diastolic BP measured twice for accuracy.
📌 BMI and Health Data: Height, weight, physical activity, and medical history recorded.

This approach provided a detailed snapshot of how salt and calories interact with blood pressure.

Key Findings (With Specific Numbers!)

1. High Salt Intake is Common in Israel

• Average sodium intake: 9.76g of salt per day (far exceeding the WHO-recommended <2g/day).
• Median sodium excretion: 3,542 mg/day in urine.
• Men vs. Women:
  • Men excreted 4,374 mg/day
  • Women excreted 3,380 mg/day
  • 🔎 Men consumed significantly more salt than women.

2. More Calories = More Salt

• Higher calorie intake was directly linked to higher salt consumption.
• Sodium excretion by calorie intake groups:
  • Low-calorie eaters (812–1,275 kcal/day) → 3,176 mg sodium/day
  • High-calorie eaters (2,333–6,234 kcal/day) → 4,269 mg sodium/day
  • Key takeaway: People who eat more calories tend to consume significantly more sodium.

3. Salt & Blood Pressure – The Link Weakens with Calorie Adjustment

• Before adjusting for calorie intake:
  • Highest sodium excretion group had nearly 4x the odds of high blood pressure (OR = 3.79).
• After adjusting for calorie intake:
  • Risk dropped by 50% (OR = 1.9).
  • 🔎 This suggests that calorie intake plays a major role in the sodium-blood pressure relationship.

4. Obese & Hypertensive People Have the Highest Salt Intake

• Sodium excretion by weight group:
  • Normal-weight individuals → 3,527 mg/day
  • Obese individuals → 4,380 mg/day
• Highest salt intake found in obese individuals with high blood pressure (4,507 mg/day).
• This group is at the greatest risk for salt-related health issues.

Why Does This Matter?

This study suggests that high calorie intake—not just salt—may drive high blood pressure. It challenges the traditional idea that reducing salt alone is enough to manage hypertension.

If you're concerned about blood pressure, consider:
✅ Watching overall calorie intake – High-calorie diets tend to be high in sodium too.
✅ Focusing on whole foods – Processed foods are the biggest sources of hidden salt.
✅ Being mindful of weight – Overweight individuals seem to be at the highest risk for salt-related blood pressure issues.

The Bigger Picture

This study is part of growing research into how dietary habits affect blood pressure and heart health. While salt does play a role, this study suggests that calorie intake and overall nutrition may be just as important.

Fact-Check & Learn More

We believe in transparency—so every Research Digest post includes a direct link to the original study. You can read the full research, fact-check the data, and build your own collection of trusted health studies.

🔗 Read the full research paper here

What do you think? Does this study change how you view salt and high blood pressure? Let’s discuss in the comments!