ALB and Ascites: Similarly, Gu et al., in the largest study to date, randomized 200 patients with ascites into unrestricted (8.8 g NaCl) and restricted (4.2 g NaCl) sodium groups, finding that the unrestricted group experienced better renal function, higher calorie intake, increased serum albumin, and shorter hospital stays, along with greater ascites resolution (P = 0.001) [21].