Sodium intake

sodium intake

Sodium intake means the amount of sodium a person gets from food and drinks each day. Sodium is a mineral found naturally in some foods and added to others as table salt or as part of preservatives and flavorings. Most people get sodium from processed and packaged foods, restaurant meals, and anything with added salt, not just the saltshaker. Health experts usually recommend keeping daily sodium below a certain limit because our bodies only need a small amount to work properly. Sodium helps control fluid balance and nerve and muscle function, but too much can cause problems over time. High sodium intake can make the body hold extra fluid and can raise blood pressure for many people. Over years, elevated blood pressure increases the risk of heart disease, stroke, and kidney damage. Paying attention to sodium intake matters because it is one of the most changeable parts of your diet—small adjustments can lower health risks. Simple steps like cooking at home, limiting processed foods, and reading nutrition labels can significantly reduce sodium intake. If you have health conditions such as high blood pressure or kidney disease, checking how much sodium you eat is especially important and worth discussing with your clinician.