Sodium

Sodium

Too much sodium can lead to high blood pressure, heart disease, and stroke, and together these are some of the leading causes of preventable deaths in Georgia.  We spend about 8.5 billion dollars on heart disease healthcare costs alone in Georgia, and some of these costs could be averted by lowering sodium intake as well as increasing physical activity and eliminating tobacco use.  

Where is it? Everywhere.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), U.S. Food and Drug  Administration (FDA), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), most Americans get more than their daily recommendations of sodium before they ever pick up a saltshaker.

Research has shown that more than 75% of the sodium we eat comes from packaged, processed, store-bought, and restaurant foods.

The US dietary guidelines recommend that everyone over the age of 2 should have than 2,300 milligrams of sodium, and some people should limit their sodium to 1,500 milligrams per day.

The groups that should limit their sodium intake include:

  •  Adults over age 50
  • African Americans, who experience a disproportionate burden of hypertension and cardiovascular disease
  • Individuals who have high blood pressure, diabetes, or kidney disease.

So what can we do? Read the label and take a count.

Reducing sodium takes both personal choices and healthier food options in our communities. Simple steps like:

  •  Reading Nutrition Facts labels
  • Comparing products
  • Choosing lower-sodium foods can help people make healthier choices.

Because sodium is often added during food processing, it cannot be taken out later, which makes it important to choose foods with less sodium to begin with. Some foods labeled as “healthy” can still be high in sodium, so it is important to check food labels and learn what to look for when shopping or eating out.

Check out resources and recommendations from the CDC  to learn more controlling sodium intake and review the US dietary guidelines recommendations on sodium. 

Last Updated 1/14/26