Small reductions in sodium levels in everyday foods such as bread, packaged groceries and takeaway meals could prevent thousands of heart attacks, strokes and deaths in France and the UK, according to two major new studies published in the journal Hypertension.
The research shows that even modest industry-led reformulation—requiring no effort from consumers—could lead to significant public health gains by lowering average blood pressure across entire populations. Excess sodium intake remains a leading dietary risk factor for hypertension, which is linked to heart disease, stroke, kidney disease and dementia. Although the World Health Organization recommends adults consume less than 2,000mg of sodium per day, intake in many European countries remains far higher.
France: Bread Reformulation Could Quietly Save Lives
The French study modelled the impact of a voluntary agreement between government and bread producers to reduce salt content in baguettes and other breads by 2025. Bread accounts for about 25% of daily salt intake in France, making it a key target for reformulation.
Researchers found that by 2023 most French breads were already meeting the proposed sodium targets, suggesting that reducing salt levels is feasible without disrupting consumer habits.
Using national data and mathematical modelling, the study estimated the potential reduction in cases of cardiovascular disease, kidney disease and dementia if the targets were fully met.
With full compliance, daily salt intake could drop by 0.35g per person, leading to modest blood pressure reductions and measurable health benefits, including:
- About 1,186 fewer deaths annually (0.18% reduction)
- 1.04% fewer hospitalisations for ischemic heart disease
- 1.05% fewer haemorrhagic stroke admissions
- 0.88% fewer ischemic stroke admissions
The study found that men would benefit most overall, while women aged 55 to 64 would experience the highest proportion of preventable cases.
Dr. Clémence Grave, lead author of the French study, said the approach is powerful because it does not rely on behaviour change.
“This salt-reduction measure went completely unnoticed by the French population—no one realised that bread contained less salt,” she said. “Our findings show that reformulating food products, even with small, invisible changes, can have a significant impact on public health.”
UK: Packaged and Takeaway Targets Could Prevent 128,000 Cases
The second study examined the UK’s 2024 sodium-reduction targets for retail and out-of-home foods. These targets cover 84 packaged grocery categories—including bread, cheese, meat and snacks—and 24 takeaway and foodservice categories such as burgers, curries and pizza.
Researchers found that full compliance could reduce average salt intake from 6.1g to 4.9g per day, a 17.5% reduction per person.
Over a 20-year period, the model projected:
- About 103,000 cases of ischemic heart disease prevented
- Approximately 25,000 strokes avoided
- 243,000 additional quality-adjusted life years
- £1 billion in NHS savings
Dr. Lauren Bandy of the University of Oxford, lead author of the UK study, said the findings demonstrate the large potential of reformulation strategies.
“If UK food companies had fully met the 2024 salt reduction targets, the resulting drop in salt intake could have prevented tens of thousands of heart attacks and strokes,” she said. “All without requiring people to change their eating habits.”
Researchers cautioned that the data may not fully reflect the latest progress toward reformulation targets and that self-reported dietary surveys may underestimate salt intake, particularly from takeaway meals.
A Global Message for Food Manufacturers
Experts say the findings have implications beyond Europe, especially in countries where most sodium intake comes from commercially prepared foods. Dr. Daniel W. Jones, chair of the 2025 AHA/ACC High Blood Pressure Guideline, said the studies reinforce the value of national reformulation strategies.
“Though sodium reduction makes small improvements in blood pressure at the individual level, these small changes in individuals result in major improvements in a large population,” he said.
The research highlights how modest, industry-led changes can produce major health benefits—quietly and effectively—without requiring consumers to alter their daily habits.