How Much Sodium is Dangerous?
Your body uses sodium for fluid balance and electric signaling in nerves, but too much sodium increases water retention, blood volume, and blood pressure. According to the CDC, 9 in 10 Americans eat more than the recommended amount per day. Surprisingly, table salt isn't the biggest source- more than 75% of sodium intake comes from processed foods and restaurant meals! [1]
Learn more about the Salty Six
High sodium intake increases your risk of:
Heart disease (#1 US cause of death)
Stroke [1]
Tips to reduce sodium:
Read food labels and restaurant nutrition facts
Make fresh fruits and vegetables convenient for snacking
Increase food awareness and Change Your Salty Ways in 21 Days.
Feel free to share and print these sodium infographics, and visit American Heart Association Sodium pages.
Workplace Wellness Wednesday is an awareness bulletin to help you make healthy lifestyle choices. It is not a substitute for your healthcare provider.
References:
1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Most Americans Should Consume Less Sodium. https://www.cdc.gov/salt/. Secondary citation from Mattes RD, Donnelly D. Relative contributions of dietary sodium sources. J Am Coll Nutr. 1991;10:383–93. Accessed February 18, 2017.
Excerpt: American Heart Association. 75% of Americans Want Less Sodium in Processed & Restaurant Foods. http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/HealthyLiving/HealthyEating/Nutrition/75-of-Americans-Want-Less-Sodium-in-Processed-and-Restaurant-Foods-Infographic_UCM_467291_SubHomePage.jsp. Accessed February 18, 2017.
