Sodium and health

Necessary for Health

Sodium is an important mineral for the human body as it helps in electrolytes balance, the main source of sodium is the salt, sodium chloride when 40% sodium and 60% chloride by weight.

In addition, processed food has 75% of their weight as sodium.

One of sodium function is keeping fluid balance, in addition, it plays a role in nerve and muscle function.

You body excreted sodium through kidneys into urine or lost in sweating.

Sodium deficiency is very rare even when accompanied by low intake of sodium.

Sodium and major health problems:

Sodium has been linked with high blood pressure that increases the risk of heart disease and kidney disease also. Some references suggest a decreased consumption of dietary sodium to prevent health problems.

Official Dietary Recommendations

The intake of sodium is recommended to be 1500 mg per day for adults based on Institute of medicine other references recommends a dietary intake of sodium less than 2300 mg/day as a half teaspoon of salt/day. These recommendations do not apply to athletes as they need more sodium to replenish losses and electrolytes after training.

Finally:

Limit your salt consumption decrease the risk of heart disease as the salt restriction is not enough by itself to lower blood pressure rather a whole dietary change is needed to have better results

Sources:

https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/sodium-per-day

https://www.medpagetoday.com/resource-centers/spotlight-on-ischemic-stroke/effects-lower-sodium-and-higher-potassium-bp-and-stroke-risk/1526