A high-sodium (salty) diet may counteract the benefits of medications that lower blood pressure, a study found. Researchers studied people whose blood pressure remained high despite being on three or more blood pressure meds. One group followed a low-salt diet, while another’s diet was five times as high in sodium. After four weeks,  people on the low-salt diet had lowered their blood pressure  by an average 22.7 mm Hg systolic (top line) and 9.1 mm Hg diastolic (bottom line) more than those on the high-sodium diet. Need a low-salt flavor fix? Fresh herbs are a delicious, healthy way to spice up your food.
Source: Hypertension, September 2009