Our sodium intake comes mostly from processed, pre-packaged and restaurant foods, not from the salt shaker. It's no surprise then that pizza, hot dogs, and processed cheeses are at the top of the list of foods with the highest amounts of sodium. However, fresh chicken, turkey, and pork are up there too.  Prior to packaging, they can be injected with a combination of water and salt significantly increasing their sodium content.  The USDA allows poultry companies to use the label "100 % natural" or "all natural" even though fresh chicken may have been injected with sodium!

Sodium is a natural occurring element the body needs to function properly. It is involved in maintaining blood volume, cellular osmotic pressure, and transmitting nerve impulses. Table salt is a combination of sodium and chlorine and is called sodium chloride.

To keep us running smoothly, the 2015 - 2020 Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommends consuming less than 2,300 milligrams (mg) per day*, but most Americans consume more than 3,400 mg per day.

Consuming too much sodium is directly associated with hypertension and an increased risk of heart disease and stroke.  The American Heart Association considers 1,500 mg per day to be "ideal".   *(This is dependent on weather conditions, excessive sweating, sickness, and other health considerations.)

In a study published in the Archives of Internal Medicine, individuals who had the highest intake of sodium showed a 20 percent increase in overall mortality verses those with the lowest sodium intake.  

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