Sodium is a nutrient found in table salt and many other foods. When sodium is combined with chloride it is called salt. The body needs some sodium to function, but too much salt may lead to high blood pressure. Canadians consume more sodium than may be good for their health. Eating less sodium can reduce your high blood pressure and prevent high blood pressure.
Individuals should aim for 1500 mg of sodium per day, if you are 18 to 50 years, 1300 mg if aged 51 to 70 years and 1200mg per day if older than 70 years. Reducing your sodium in your healthy diet may reduce your blood pressure by half as much as a blood pressure medication. For most people the average daily intake for sodium is between 3000 – 3700 mg.
1 teaspoon contains about 6 gms or 2400 mg of salt
Most people get more sodium than is healthy from prepackaged food and meals. It is helpful to learn to read labels and buy brands with lower mg of sodium per serving. Best choices are foods with less than 200 mg sodium per serving. Be careful than the amount of sodium is per serving and many people eat more than one serving size. Attempt to avoid foods with 400 mg of sodium per serving.