The Salinogenic Food Environment: A Conceptual Framework Linking Salt Exposure, Dietary Behaviors, and Cardiovascular Health

Background

Excessive sodium intake is a major modifiable risk factor for hypertension and cardiovascular disease and remains well above recommended levels globally. Although sodium reduction strategies have traditionally focused on individual behaviour change, food environments largely determine sodium consumption by shaping food availability, affordability, preferences, and purchasing options. However, no conceptual framework has specifically characterized food environments according to their capacity to promote excessive salt intake.