Most Americans consume too much sodium, putting them at risk for high blood pressure, heart attacks and strokes.
Experts recommend that healthy adults consume 2,300 mg or less of sodium each day. However, people who are at least 51 years old; are African-American; or have high blood pressure, diabetes or chronic kidney disease should limit their daily sodium intake to 1,500 mg.
Food manufacturers can make various claims about sodium levels on food product labels. Here are some samples:
• Sodium-free or salt-free: Less than 5 mg per serving
• Unsalted or no salt added: No salt added
• Very low sodium: 35 mg or less per serving
• Low sodium: 140 mg or less per serving
• Light in sodium: 50 percent less than regular
• Reduced sodium: 25 percent less than regular
A serving of food is considered high in sodium if it contains 480 mg or more.
Good Neighbor Pharmacy Health Connection, December 2013
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