Favorable effect of lower salt consumption on urinary albumin excretion (UAE). Forest plot of the effect of lower dietary salt intake on UAE in 23 population cohorts from 11 published studies. Results are expressed as mean differences and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs). ACE, angiotensin-converting enzyme; HCT, hydrochlorothiazide; HDS, basal high–dietary salt intake; LDS, basal low–dietary salt intake; MALB, microalbuminuria.