Too much salt causes 1.65 million deaths per year due to cardiovascular-related diseases, according to a paper published by researchers from Tufts University in Boston, Massachusetts.

The team's findings on the effects of an excess intake of sodium were based on 205 surveys about salt intake in various countries. Combined, these countries represent three-fourths of the world's adult population.

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The effects of sodium on cardiovascular disease risk and blood pressure were established in a different study.

In 2010, the general level of sodium intake was found to be 3.95 grams per day, almost twice the two grams recommended by the World Health Organization. Researchers computed a total of 1.65 million annual deaths from heart and blood vessel diseases caused by consuming more than the recommended WHO dosage.

Dr. Dariush Mozaffarian from the Tufts University and lead scientist of the study said high sodium intake is associated with increasing blood pressure, which is a prominent risk factor for cardiovascular diseases including stroke and heart disease.

"These 1.65 million deaths represent nearly one in 10 of all deaths from cardiovascular causes worldwide. No world region and few countries were spared," Dr. Mozaffarian said.

Incorporated into food products, salt is used in cooking or sprinkled on food. It is the most significant source of sodium in an individual's diet.

The paper, which was published in the New England Journal of Medicine, showed that the U.S. public generally took in 3.6 grams of sodium each day.

The sodium consumption around the globe ranged from the slightly over 2.18 grams per day in regions in sub-Saharan Africa to the more-than-double 5.51 grams per day eaten in central Asia, according to the newspaper, The Independent.

John Powles, a co-author of the paper from Cambridge University, said the team found out that 80 percent of worldwide deaths caused by a higher consumption of the recommended sodium intakes generally occurs in low and middle-income nations.

"Programs to reduce sodium intake could provide a practical and cost effective means for reducing premature deaths in adults around the world," Powles said.

TagsSodium, Nutrition, death, salt