Researchers from the Uniformed Services University of Health Sciences in Maryland believe that people who consume a lot of salt are more prone to ulcers of the stomach and duodenum. A team at the university discovered that a high salt diet causes an increase in the activity of bacteria called H. pylori, which cause gastric ulcers.

Researchers discovered that not only did the activity levels of the bacteria change when exposed to high levels of salt, they also affected cell division. Aside from ulcers, the changes to bacteria with a high salt diet may also increase the risk of gastritis and stomach cancer.