International Journal of Preventive Medicine (Int J Prev Med)2008-78023620120410628628ENSocial Health Determinants Research Center and Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Health, Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences, Shahrekrod, IranDepartment of Pediatrics, School of Medicine and Child Growth & Development Research Center, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran20120410<p>The salt hypothesis was revived in 1904 by Ambard and Beaujard[1] and since then, many researches around the world have been studying this aspect.[2] The salt hypothesis states that salt is necessary for the genesis of essential hypertension.[3]</p> Moreover, the mortality rates of stomach cancer and stroke were found to decrease in a similar way over a given time in different countries.[4] Based on an observation in 1965&mdash;that stomach cancer mortality and stroke mortality were strongly correlated&mdash;the hypothesis was presented that salt could be involved in the etiology of both the diseases, although by different mechanisms.[5] While salt intake could have an influence on blood pressure and thus increasing the risk of stroke mortality,[4] it can also have a caustic influence on the stomach mucosa, stimulating atrophic gastritis leading to stomach cancer.[6]http://ijpm.mui.ac.ir/index.php/ijpm/article/view/628http://ijpm.mui.ac.ir/index.php/ijpm/article/download/628/580