New study estimates that if Americans were to cut their salt intake to recommended levels, they would have far fewer cases of high blood pressure, and save billions of dollars in health care costs.

High sodium intake can contribute to high blood pressure and its complications, including heart and kidney disease. The Institute of Medicine recommends that adults consume no more than 2,300 milligrams (mg) of sodium per day. However, the average American gets about 1,000 mg more than that.

The researchers estimate that if the average sodium intake fell to the recommended level of 2,300 mg per day, there would be 11 million fewer cases of high blood pressure each year and the costs of treating high blood pressure and related heart disease and strokes would fall by $18 billion.

Sound simple but not too easy. That's because so much of the sodium Americans consume comes not from their own salt shakers, but from packaged foods and meals eaten out. Given this, it makes sense to explore how cutting sodium from processed foods and restaurant menus would affect widespread sodium consumption.