Sodium: How to tame your salt habit
Sodium: Essential in small amounts
Sodium: How much is too much?
Sodium: What are the major dietary sources?
Tips for cutting back on sodium
Sodium: Be a savvy shopper
Know the label lingo
Higher sodium, higher risks
Content
What happens to sodium in the body?
Lower sodium, lower risks
How much sodium is too much?
What foods have sodium?
How do I cut back on sodium?
Check the label
Learn the lingo
Use salt substitutes wisely
Go low and take it slow
Content
By Mayo Clinic Staff
Are you getting more sodium than health experts suggest is wise? If so, it could lead to serious health problems.
Sodium is a mineral. You can find it naturally in food, such as shellfish or milk. Manufacturers also may add sodium to processed food, such as processed meats and snack foods. Sodium also is used to flavor food in condiments, such as soy sauce. Table salt, pink salt, sea salt and other salts used in cooking have sodium.
The World Health Organization suggests a limit of 2,000 milligrams of sodium a day. Most of the sodium you eat is hidden in prepared foods. And for that reason, many people worldwide take in more sodium than their bodies need.
A diet high in sodium increases the risk of high blood pressure and related conditions.
See where all that sodium comes from and learn how you can cut back.
