Cutting back on the salt

Salt lovers who cut back on the sodium might not be reaping as many health benefits as they had hoped.

A small review of 6,000 people finds moderate cuts in salt intake does not lower the risk of heart disease or death.

For some people who already had heart problems, cutting back on salt actually increased their chances of a premature death.

Researchers says a wider review involving at least 18,000 people is needed to determine if there are any clear health benefits from moderate reductions of salt intake.