A long-term study into the affects of salt-intake on the body proves that the substance greatly increases the risk for serious health problems, scientists report. The 15-year study was headed up by Harvard Medical School and published in the British Medical Journal.

According to the study, individuals who consumed lower amounts of salt reduced their risk of stroke and cardiac arrest by 25 percent and decreased their risk of premature death by 20 percent. There is speculation that a high sodium diet also increases blood pressure, but more studies need to be conducted to determine whether this is true or not.

Researchers and health experts involved in the study believe it proves the need to lower daily salt consumption, particularly in the United States and Britain where daily sodium consumption remains quite high despite past warning about the dangers of eating too much salt.