<http://schema.org/articleBody>
" Two new studies have highlighted the benefits of reducing salt consumption for the cardiovascular system. The first, conducted by scientists at Queen Mary, University of London, looked at data on more than 3,000 adults - taken from 34 previous trials - to assess the impact of modest salt reduction on blood pressure, hormones and blood fats. Researchers found that a modest reduction in salt intake for four weeks or more was associated with significant falls in blood pressure, both among people with elevated blood pressure to begin with and those with normal readings. The second study, which involved scientists in Switzerland, the UK and Germany, analysed the results of 56 previous trials and again found that a reduction in salt intake brought about lower blood pressure readings. In addition, it showed that a lower intake of salt was linked with a reduced risk of fatal heart disease and stroke in adults. The study authors concluded that the evidence &amp;#039;suggests that reducing sodium intake should be part of public health efforts to reduce blood pressure and cardiovascular diseases, and will likely benefit most individuals&amp;#039;. Both studies are published in the British Medical Journal and were welcomed by Professor Graham MacGregor, chairman of campaign group Consensus Action on Salt and Health, who was involved in the first study. He said: &amp;#039;These studies show that it is absolutely vital that the government forces the food industry to gradually reduce the amount of salt they add to our food by setting new targets.&amp;#039; "^^<http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#string>
<http://www.netdoctor.co.uk/healthy-living/news/a23718/cutting-salt-intake-leads-to-fall-in-blood-pressure-studies-show/>