Less salt equals fewer heart attacks and strokes

We've known for years that people with certain health conditions should stick to a low-salt diet to protect their health. But a recent study suggests that eating less sodium could protect all of us from cardiovascular disease, stroke, heart attack, and high blood pressure. In fact, according to the study, eating a diet low in salt reduced the participants risk of heart attack by 25% and reduced their risk of dying from other causes by 20%. Those are pretty significant numbers!

Because most of the foods we eat are processed, most of us eat a huge excess of salt each day. Salt draws water into the blood stream which can raise blood pressure, and high blood pressure contributes to heart disease. You can lower the salt in your own diet by eating foods that aren't (or are minimally) processed: fresh fruits, veggies, whole grains, and lean proteins. When you do choose processed foods, look for those that are labeled "low salt" or "low sodium." You can also flavor your food with herbs and spices instead of salt. And on a side note, when it comes to sodium intake, kosher and sea salt are no better for you than table salt.

Healthy adults need no more than 1,500 to 2,400 milligrams a day, and those with high blood pressure should stay under 1,500 mg.