A new study shows that salt reduction may offer cardioprotective effects beyond blood pressure reduction.

Published in the February 2009 issue of the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, the study was led by Kacie Dickinson of Flinders University, South Australia.

"Reducing your salt intake provides more benefit than a decrease in blood pressure," said ASN Spokesperson Mary Ann Johnson, PhD.

The study by Dickinson et al provides "further evidence of the importance of decreasing sodium intake to improve blood vessel health and reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease, one of the leading causes of disability and death in the U.S. These researchers showed that sodium reduction is beneficial for people who have normal blood pressure and those who are overweight or obese, and the benefits start in just a few weeks."

Johnson added, "Regardless of one's body weight or blood pressure, sodium reduction offers many health benefits."