A bit of salt in the diet is necessary for good health. The seasoning is also a kitchen staple and taste booster, but Americans consume way too much — usually without even picking up a saltshaker. More than 70% of sodium consumed in the U.
S. comes from processed and prepared foods, according to the . That means every bite of pizza, deli meat and bread already comes packed with salt.
When people do have a chance to select the salt they want to sprinkle on their food, there’s a surprising number of options on the supermarket shelf. What’s the healthiest choice? Here’s what the experts say: Salt is an essential nutrient, meaning that the body can’t make it, so you need to get it from food, says registered dietitian Natalie Rizzo, nutrition editor for TODAY.com.
“Sodium is an that plays a role in hydration and cellular function,” Rizzo notes. “The daily value of sodium is 2,300 milligrams, meaning you can have that amount in a day without any adverse effects.” That’s about 1 teaspoon of table salt, or sodium chloride.
But the average American consumes about 40% more, or 3,300 milligrams of sodium per day, the notes. can raise blood pressure, and the risk for heart disease and stroke, the agency warns. The FDA has been urging the food industry to use less salt, noting that could prevent hundreds of thousands of premature deaths.
“Reducing sodium in the food supply has the potential to be one of the most important public health initiatives in a generation,” .