About this Research Topic

Background

Sodium plays a pivotal role in cardiovascular and kidney health and disease, with its balance being crucial for maintaining overall health. While most guidelines recommend a daily intake of less than 2 grams of sodium, most individuals consume nearly twice that amount in a day. On average, more than 70% of dietary sodium comes from processed foods and eating out at restaurants. It is well known that the sodium status of the body is directly correlated to systolic blood pressure. Excessive sodium intake can lead to hypertension, which is a major public health issue due to the profound risk of developing cardiovascular and kidney diseases. The kidneys act as a key regulator of sodium levels in the body, adjusting its reabsorption and excretion to maintain a delicate balance. Dysfunction in the renal handling of sodium can contribute to various kidney disorders. Therefore, a careful and balanced approach to sodium consumption is essential to support optimal cardiovascular and kidney function, reducing the risk of related health complications.

The goal of this Research Topic is to gather original research articles, reviews, and commentaries which will improve our understanding of the physiological and pathophysiological aspects involved in the effects of sodium on the cardiovascular and renal systems.

Additionally, this topic welcomes studies on novel technologies and interventions addressing the dangers and benefits of dietary salt in health and disease. We welcome submissions covering the following topics (but not restricted to):
• Interaction between dietary salt and other nutritional factors that may impact hypertension in cardiovascular, kidney, and other chronic diseases.
• Impact of high or low salt intake on cardiovascular and kidney diseases.
• Economic and health impacts on salt reduction or the use of salt substitutes.
• Molecular mechanisms and metabolic pathways underlying the effects of dietary salt on hypertension development and progression to end-organ damage.
• Population-based studies, case studies, and innovative technologies and interventions focusing on the link between dietary salt and hypertension-associated cardiovascular, kidney, and other chronic diseases.
• New equations to estimate salt intake from spot urine samples.
• Salt reduction techniques and reformulation strategies
• Salt substitutes and flavor enhancers
• Consumer behavior and acceptance of reduced-salt foods

Keywords: hypertension, blood pressure, salt, sodium, cardiovascular disease, kidney disease, salt reduction, consumer behaviour, salt consumption, salt substitutes, flavor enchances, policy and public health interventions

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.

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