According to the New England Journal of Medicine, salt is one of the leading culprits in fueling the rise in healthcare costs in America.

It is hard to believe but research shows that if we just reduce our salt intake by only about a half teaspoon a day, we would significantly reduce the number of new cases of coronary heart disease and deaths in our country.

If you eat too much salt, the extra water stored in your body can raise your blood pressure. The higher your blood pressure, the greater the strain on your heart, arteries, kidneys and brain.

This can lead to heart attacks, strokes, dementia and kidney disease.It is not just cutting back on the salt shaker.  Most of our high salt intake comes from processed food and restaurant-prepared food. Look for healthy alternatives to fast and frozen foods and you will do your heart good.

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