Lesser salt, better well-being

Eating less than one teaspoon of salt per day remains the ideal goal, according to a new US study.

Most research has linked high sodium consumption with greater risks of stroke and cardiovascular disease. Evidence has shown that men and women ages 51 or older, African-Americans or those with hypertension, diabetes or chronic kidney disease face especially high risks.

But when several studies produced findings suggesting diets could be too low in sodium, the US Institute of Medicine asked experts to review studies on the health effects of sodium.