The average American consumes about 3400 mg/d of sodium, which is more than double the 1500 mg recommended by the American Heart Association.1 Excess sodium added to foods during commercial processing and preparation represents the main source of sodium intake in American diets.2 Nevertheless, adding salt at the table is still very common, and people who add salt at the table have 1.5 g higher salt intakes than those who do not add salt.3 And as we know, high sodium intake has been associated with elevated blood pressure and an increased rate of cardiovascular disease.4
Commentary
A tool to help limit patients’ sodium intake
J Fam Pract. 2016 October;65(10):671,734