Sodium

Sodium helps control the balance of fluid in your body and is needed for nerve signals and muscle contraction. Salt is about 40% sodium, so the amount of salt is roughly two and a half times the amount of sodium.

Most people eat more sodium than they need, much of it from processed and restaurant food, cured and pickled foods, and salty sauces, rather than from the salt shaker. A high-sodium diet is linked to higher blood pressure, so checking labels and cooking with less salt is a practical step.

Sweating heavily in the heat can increase your needs. People with high blood pressure, kidney disease or heart failure often have specific limits, so follow your clinician's advice. Eating less sodium is not right for everyone, and very low intakes can cause problems too.