A Dash of Nanny-state-ism

The New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene wants to force the citizens of New York City to radically lower their intake of salt. They feel that this will lower heart attacks and strokes. The problem is the science doesn't seem to support their radical proposal.

...observational studies do not demonstrate causality. And this kind of research can justify action only when multiple studies produce consistent, robust findings across a wide range of circumstances, as the research on tobacco and lung and cardiovascular health has done.

Nevertheless, the research on salt intake can help identify questions to address in randomized clinical trials, the most rigorous kind of medical research. ...

Only one such rigorous clinical trial on salt intake has been reported so far, and it focused on patients with fairly advanced heart problems. As it turned out, the group that adhered to a lower sodium diet actually suffered significantly more cardiovascular deaths and hospitalizations than did the one assigned to the higher sodium diet.

As per usual, "those who know better" want to force us all to live "better", "healthier" lives. Regardless of the evidence.

Law of unintended consequences, here we come...