Salt: Cancer reduction linked to less sodium in the diet

Reducing one's intake of salt can lower the risk of cancer, says study.

Researchers at the World Cancer Research Fund (WCRF) said that one-in-seven stomach cancers in the UK could be prevented if people ate less sodium.

According to the BBC, too much salt has already been linked to numerous health concerns, including high blood pressure, stroke and heart disease.

The UK-based charity said that around 800 cases of stomach cancer in the country could have been prevented if people had eaten less than the recommended 6 grams of salt per day.

More from GlobalPost: 3D printing – Your body parts made to order

The Indian Express said that the charity's remarks come as a part of a campaign to get people to consume less salt, often translating to less packaged and fast-food.

WCRF is suggesting that food manufacturers and supermarkets begin labelling food with color coded stickers indicating the amount of salt.

"This places even greater emphasis on making lifestyle choices to prevent the disease occurring in the first place – such as cutting down on salt intake and eating more fruit and vegetables," WCRF information chief Kate Mendoza said, according to the Daily Mail.

'Because around three-quarters of the salt we consume is already in processed food when we buy it, WCRF would like to see traffic light labelling on the front of food and drink packaging…"