People who are older, Black or Asian, or already have high blood pressure see a bigger drop in their blood pressure when they cut salt than younger, white, or healthy people do.

Even if your blood pressure is normal, cutting back on salt still helps lower it a little—which could help prevent high blood pressure as you get older.

Cutting back on salt can lower your blood pressure a little bit—about 3 to 5 points for the top number and 1 to 3 points for the bottom number—and this works the same way whether you're Asian, Black, or White, as long as you start with similar blood pressure and salt intake.

Cutting down on salt lowers blood pressure more for people who already have high blood pressure than for those with normal blood pressure—about 2.5 times more.

Eating less salt can lower your blood pressure a little bit, and that might help keep your heart healthier and prevent heart problems.

If you eat less salt, your blood pressure goes down steadily — even at very low salt levels, cutting back more still helps lower it.