In this new report, 8,700 adults from the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES III) were studied over 30 years to compare death rates from heart disease against dietary intake of sodium.
People who consumed the lowest amount of sodium were 80 percent more likely to die from heart disease as compared to those who ate high sodium diets.
These results remained true after adjusting for other heart disease risk factors such as smoking, type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure.
Given that many high sodium foods are also high in saturated or trans fats (e.g. French fries, pizza, processed cheese), it's possible that sodium isn't solely responsible for increased heart disease risk.
Many risk factors for heart disease - such as high cholesterol and excess body weight - are influenced by what you eat. For help with nutrition strategies to lower your heart disease risk, check out Leslie Beck's Foods that Fight Disease.
This report was published online in the May 2008 edition of the Journal of General Internal Medicine.
All research on this web site is the property of Leslie Beck Nutrition Consulting Inc. and is protected by copyright. Keep in mind that research on these matters continues daily and is subject to change. The information presented is not intended as a substitute for medical treatment. It is intended to provide ongoing support of your healthy lifestyle practices.