Frequent Added Salt Intake Linked to Type 2 Diabetes Risk, Tulane University Study Finds

Study finds adults who regularly add extra salt to their meals face up to 40% higher risk for Type 2 diabetes, suggesting that reduced salt intake may support diabetes prevention.

• Tulane University's research study, using UK Biobank data of 400,000 Britons over nearly 12 years, has identified a link between the addition of extra salt to meals and a higher risk of developing Type 2 diabetes.
• The study categorized the frequency of salt addition: 'never', 'rarely', 'sometimes', 'usually', or 'always'. 'Sometimes', 'usually', and 'always' increasing the risk by 13%, 20%, and 39% respectively.
• Regular excess salt consumption also correlated with participants having higher Body Mass Index (BMI) and waist-to-hip ratio, leading to a potential increased risk of obesity and inflammation.
• Although the study shows a connection between additional salt intake and the onset of Type 2 diabetes, the researchers did not conclude that salt is a direct cause or risk factor for the disease.
• Researchers suggest that excess salt intake may cause individuals to consume larger meal portions, since the focus of the study was on added salt and did not account for the salt used in cooking or within meals.

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