As Bethany noted earlier, it's been found (again, I think) that diets high in salt can lead to enhanced chances for a heart attack or stroke. The difference with this study is that it is the first long-term study of salt's impact on health .

Most health-conscious nutritionists I've talked to who are big followers of the sodium consumption trend in western society see salt in most processed foods as a leading cause of higher blood pressure among much of the U.S. population.

This newer 15-year study supposedly offers the clearest evidence yet that cutting salt consumption actually saves lives. One of the factors on most foods I buy is looking at the sodium content (per serving) to ensure a single serving does not give me half of the suggested sodium intake I need per day. Have high blood pressure? If so, try looking at your salt intake and see where you are