Pass (On) The Salt
June 8, 2009
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According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, most Americans consume more than double the amount of their daily recommended level of sodium. In a new CDC study released in early April, more than 2 out of 3 adults are in population groups that should consume no more than 1,500 milligrams (mg) per day of sodium. During 2005-2006, the estimated average intake of sodium for persons in the United States age 2 years and older was 3,436 mg per day.
A diet high in sodium increases the risk of having high blood pressure, a major cause of heart disease and stroke. These diseases are the first and third leading causes of death in the United States.
“It’s important for people to eat less salt. People who adopt a heart-healthy eating pattern that includes a diet low in sodium and rich in potassium and calcium can improve their blood pressure,” said Darwin R. Labarthe, M.D., Ph.D., director of the CDC’s Division for Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention. “Reducing sodium intake can prevent or delay increases in blood pressure for everyone.”
“People need to know their recommended daily sodium limit and take action to reduce sodium intake,” Labarthe said. Most of the sodium we eat comes from packaged, processed and restaurant foods. CDC along with other HHS agencies, including the Food and Drug Administration, will be working with major food manufacturers and chain restaurants to reduce sodium levels in the food supply.
National data was used to show that 69.2 percent of the adult population belongs to a specific group that should aim to consume no more than 1,500 mg of sodium per day. This group includes persons with high blood pressure, African Americans, or middle-aged and older adults (more than 40 years old). The 2005 Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommend that adults in general should consume less than 2,300 mg (approximately one teaspoon of salt) of sodium per day.
The dietary guidelines, by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the U.S. Department of Agriculture, provide advice for people 2 years and older about how good dietary habits can promote health and reduce risk for major chronic diseases. For more information on the guidelines, see www.health.gov/DietaryGuidelines. For more information about heart disease and stroke, visit CDC’s Web site at www.cdc.gov/dhdsp
