Background: In recent years, criticism against the so-called "salt hypothesis" has gained momentum. We give a brief review of important data related to this issue, in particular of the evidence-based documentation supporting a general recommendation of reduced salt intake.
Material and methods: We searched in PubMed, Ovid and HighWire for papers relating to salt intake, blood pressure and cardiovascular disease.
Results: Most studies in favour of the salt hypothesis rely on short-term (about 30 days) intervention trials. The possible benefit of salt restriction on hypertension and hypertension-related morbidity and mortality is not firmly established.
Interpretation: A general recommendation of a reduction in salt intake among Norwegians to 5 g/day or less is not scientifically justified. More studies on salt intake in the general Norwegian population as well as intervention trials spanning years are warranted.