Family: Sodium

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What Is Sodium?

Sodium is the same as salt.

Your body needs some sodium to survive. Most foods have some sodium naturally. Drinking water contains sodium too, but the amount depends on where the water comes from.

Sodium helps the body control blood pressure. And too much sodium can cause a person to have high blood pressure. High blood pressure is a serious health problem.

Sodium is often added to food as well. Worcestershire sauce, soy sauce, onion salt, garlic salt, and bouillon cubes all add extra salt to foods. Bacon, sausage, ham, and canned soups and vegetables also have added sodium. Fast food has a lot of extra sodium.

Adults should have between 1,100 and 3,300 mg of sodium a day. People with high blood pressure should have no more than 2,300 mg of sodium.

You should also consider how much sodium your children are eating because their eating habits will follow them into adulthood.

The amount of sodium in foods can be found on the nutrition label.

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