In the western world, people consume on-average 10 to 12 grams of salt daily, mostly unknowingly as salt is frequently added by food producers/manufacturers, if not by the individual when cooking or serving foods. While salt is a vital nutrient involved in many body functions, overconsumption can markedly raise blood pressure, putting people at-risk for a fatal cardiovascular event.

On a global scale, reducing salt intake around the world by 15% could prevent almost 9 million deaths.  Researchers from Kings Fund London (United Kingdom) analyzed low- and middle-income countries, which carry 80% of the world's burden for chronic disease. While they found that simple dietary changes could reduce salt intake by 30%, a 15% reduction in salt intake was found to potentially correlate to saving 8.5 million lives from cardiovascular deaths.

Aim to reduce your consumption of processed and prepared foods, which are common sources of high concentrations of salt.