WHILE EATING A HEALTHFUL DIET IS ESSENTIAL, IT MIGHT NOT CURB THE DETRIMENTAL EFFECTS OF CONSUMING TOO MUCH SODIUM.

"Regularly consuming excessive amounts of sodium, derived mostly from commerically processed food products, is an important factor in the development of elevated blood pressure (BP) patterns," says Jeremiah Stamler, MD, who led a new study.

The American Heart Association recommends that adults consume no more than one (1 tsp.) teaspoon [2,300 milligrams (mg)] of sodium per day from all food sources.