When you eat salt may matter as much as how much
NCT ID NCT04021355
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Aug 21, 2026 · Updated 2 times
Summary
This study tested whether taking salt with breakfast versus dinner changes blood pressure patterns and nighttime salt excretion in 53 obese adults. Participants took salt tablets at different times of day. The goal was to see if timing affects blood pressure rhythms and related health markers. Results could help design better ways to manage hypertension in obesity.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- oral sodium supplementation (salt tablets)
- What this could lead to
- If it works, this could point toward simple dietary timing strategies to better manage blood pressure in people with obesity.
- What could go wrong
- This is a small, early-stage study with only 53 participants. It looks at biological patterns, not a proven treatment, so results may not lead to direct health advice.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
-
Not a phased trial
Phase numbers describe drug development. The registry uses this when they do not apply, as it does for trials of devices, procedures or behaviour changes, and for observational studies.
- Participants
-
61 people
The number who actually took part.
- Started
-
Nov 2020
- Finished
-
Jul 2025
- Lead sponsor
-
Other sponsor
The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
-
25 to 45 years
- Sex
-
Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
-
Accepted
You do not need to have the condition being studied to take part.
Show the full entry requirements Hide the full entry requirements
Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: * obese (BMI 30-50 kg/m2) * 25-45 years of age Exclusion Criteria: * evidence of kidney disease (eGFR \< 60 ml/min/1.73m2 or abnormal urinalysis) * elevated BP (\>150/90 mmHg \[measured at screening in duplicate after 10min lying recumbent\]) * elevated fasting glucose (\>126 g/dL on screening labs) * severe anemia (hemoglobin \< 8 g/dL for women or \< 9 g/dL for men) * significant psychiatric illness (as assessed by a validated screening form) * past or present drug or alcohol abuse (drug screen) * taking 2 or more BP medications or supplements on a regular basis * alcohol intake more than 2 drinks/day * pregnancy * women taking hormone replacement therapy, or post-menopausal women; * shift worker * sleep disorders (such as sleep apnea assessed by Apnea Link) * major chronic disease (e.g., diabetes, lymphocyte disorders) * history of smoking or use of tobacco products within the past year * use of sleep medications, hypnotics, stimulants, or anti-depressants
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
Locations
-
University of Alabama
Birmingham, Alabama, 35294, United States
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