The American Heart Association January 2010 sodium recommendations say that all Americans reduce the amount of sodium in their diet to less than 1500 mg a day.

This is a change from previous American Heart Association recommendations for the general population that set the limit at no more than 2300 mg a day. The new recommendations are one component in a suite of cardiovascular measurements developed by the American Heart Association to determine if Americans are improving their cardiovascular health by 20 percent by 2020.

The American Heart Association January 2010 sodium recommendations say that all Americans reduce the amount of sodium in their diet to less than 1500 mg a day.

This is a change from previous American Heart Association recommendations for the general population that set the limit at no more than 2300 mg a day. The new recommendations are one component in a suite of cardiovascular measurements developed by the American Heart Association to determine if Americans are improving their cardiovascular health by 20 percent by 2020.

One in 10 Americans will develop high blood pressure in their lifetime, and over-consumption of sodium is strongly linked to the development of high blood pressure.

Data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) released in 2009 showed that 70 percent of the U.S. population is salt sensitive, which means that their blood pressure is prone to rise in response to excess sodium in their diet. In addition, 97 percent of all children in the U.S. are eating too much salt (sodium chloride), putting them at early risk for high blood pressure. Today’s generation of children may be the first to live shorter lives than their parents because risk factors such as high blood pressure and diabetes are starting to appear in youths.

It is estimated that if the U.S. population moved to an average intake of 1500 mg per day from its current level, there would be a savings of more than $426 billion in healthcare spending and a 25.6 percent decrease in high blood pressure across the population.

1/4 teaspoon salt = 600 mg sodium
1/2 teaspoon salt = 1,200 mg sodium
3/4 teaspoon salt = 1,800 mg sodium
1 teaspoon salt = 2,300 mg sodium
1 teaspoon baking soda = 1000 mg sodium

There is both naturally occurring sodium and added sodium.

Table salt is sodium chloride. It's 40 percent sodium by weight. Read the labels when you buy prepared and packaged foods. Watch for the words "soda" (referring to sodium bicarbonate, or baking soda) and "sodium" and the symbol "Na."  These products contain sodium compounds.

Some drugs contain high amounts of sodium. Carefully read the labels on all over-the-counter drugs. Look at the ingredient list and warning statement to see if the product has sodium. A statement of sodium content must be on labels of antacids that have 5 mg or more per dosage unit (tablet, teaspoon, etc.). Some companies are now producing low-sodium over-the-counter products. If in doubt, ask your doctor or pharmacist if the drug is OK for you.

About 75 percent of sodium in the diet comes from sodium added to processed foods and beverages.  Restaurant foods are another leading source of sodium. Even fresh meat, especially pork and poultry, are being injected with sodium to add weight and moisture.

All of these factors make it difficult for Americans to meet the recommended level of intake without preparing foods from scratch and carefully reading food labels. Another factor that contributes to our excessive consumption of sodium is that we are eating more calories, therefore consuming more sodium.

Over the past 30 years, total calorie intake in the United States has increased by an average of 150-300 calories per day, and approximately 67 percent of American adults are overweight or obese.

Call (800) 242-8721 or e-mail inquiries@heart.org.