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Salt: How Much Should You Eat Daily?
Posted on Nov 20th 2009 6:15PM by Ronnie KoenigSalt is one of the most basic flavors that people can taste. Made up primarily of sodium -- salt is officially called sodium chloride -- it also contains one of the four cationic electrolytes that are needed for optimal bodily function. Too much or too little salt can lead to muscle cramps, dizziness or electrolyte disturbance.
We've all heard that we should lower our sodium intake, but in fact, some salt is an essential part of a healthy diet. Sodium helps balance bodily fluids and transmit nerve impulses throughout the body. Additionally, salt helps muscles contract and relax. In addition to it's functions within the body, salt preserves food so that it stays fresh longer. Many chefs love it, too, because it brings out food's natural flavors.
Sounds perfect, right? Not quite. Your body only needs a couple of hundred milligrams of salt per day to stay healthy. Consuming too much salt on a daily basis can cause problems like fluid retention and high blood pressure.
"Keep sodium consumption between 1,500 and 2,300 mg per day," says Katherine Zeratsky, RD, LD, a specialty editor for the Food & Nutrition Center at Mayo Clinic. "People with high blood pressure, African-Americans and anyone middle-aged or older should aim for the low end of that range."
Avoiding the salt shaker isn't enough to counter eating high amounts of salt intake. Processed foods are responsible for 77 percent of the sodium we eat.
The solution to keeping your salt intake in check is simple: Stick to natural foods whenever possible and flavor your favorite dishes with spices like pepper, cumin, basil and oregano.
Test Your Sodium Smarts: Take Our Seriously Salty Fast Foods Quiz
Once That's Fit has answered all of your nutrition questions, check out our fitness tips to help you get fit.
We've all heard that we should lower our sodium intake, but in fact, some salt is an essential part of a healthy diet. Sodium helps balance bodily fluids and transmit nerve impulses throughout the body. Additionally, salt helps muscles contract and relax. In addition to it's functions within the body, salt preserves food so that it stays fresh longer. Many chefs love it, too, because it brings out food's natural flavors.
Sounds perfect, right? Not quite. Your body only needs a couple of hundred milligrams of salt per day to stay healthy. Consuming too much salt on a daily basis can cause problems like fluid retention and high blood pressure.
"Keep sodium consumption between 1,500 and 2,300 mg per day," says Katherine Zeratsky, RD, LD, a specialty editor for the Food & Nutrition Center at Mayo Clinic. "People with high blood pressure, African-Americans and anyone middle-aged or older should aim for the low end of that range."
Avoiding the salt shaker isn't enough to counter eating high amounts of salt intake. Processed foods are responsible for 77 percent of the sodium we eat.
The solution to keeping your salt intake in check is simple: Stick to natural foods whenever possible and flavor your favorite dishes with spices like pepper, cumin, basil and oregano.
Test Your Sodium Smarts: Take Our Seriously Salty Fast Foods Quiz
Once That's Fit has answered all of your nutrition questions, check out our fitness tips to help you get fit.
