If you love high-salt fast foods and frozen foods, you may get more than high blood pressure. New research suggests a high-salt diet may give you ulcers and gastric cancer, too.

According to a recent study presented to the American Society for Microbiology, high salt levels activate 2 genes in Helicobacter pylori.

That’s the bacterium that can live in the stomach and the part of the intestine just below the stomach, called the duodenum.

H. pylori causes 80% of gastric (stomach) ulcers and 90% of duodenal ulcers. People infected with H. pylori are also 2 to 6 times more likely to develop gastric cancer.

Previous studies showed that cranberry juice and green tea can interfere with the growth of H. pylori.

In February of this year, researchers also said that extra virgin olive oil may work against some strains of H. pylori, including antibiotic-resistant strains.

But they don’t have conclusive proof yet.

Some people drink raw cabbage juice to heal ulcers. But in large amounts, cabbage juice can cause thyroid disease.

You should never treat an ulcer without professional medical advice. See your doctor if you suspect you have an ulcer or any other gastric condition.

And watch your salt.