Sodium plays an important role in allowing the human body to function properly, but most people are consuming far more than their bodies really need— and this can cause more harm than good.
The American Heart Association found that an astounding 90% of Americans consume too much sodium, with an average of 3,400 milligrams each day.1 Only 15% of this sodium is naturally occurring. More than 70% of it comes from processed and restaurant foods, with an additional 10% added during cooking or eating.
These sodium consumption levels are nothing short of a health crisis and can have severe long-term effects on health outcomes. The answer is not eliminating sodium from the diet altogether, but reducing consumption to levels recommended by medical professionals.