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Why Is Sodium Important to Our Diets?

According to the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics Dietary Department, on average, Americans digest more than three pounds of sodium annually, mostly through salt. (Salt and sodium are not the same. Salt is made up of both sodium and chloride.) Foods we eat may contain low traces of salt but still contain sodium. Through this article, the importance of sodium in our diets will be explained.

  1. Sodium Defined

    • Sodium is a universal mineral that the body utilizes to control blood pressure. It is an electrolyte that controls the extracellular amounts of fluid in the body, and is needed for hydration because the mineral drives water in the cell, which helps the body rid itself of by-products.

    Sodium Benefits

    • Sodium, in moderation, is essential for the human body. According to the Vitamins and Nutrition Center Web site, sodium works with chloride and bicarbonate to keep a level of positive and negative charged particles in fluids and tissues. Also, sodium is an essential element in nerves as sodium stimulates the muscles and adrenal glands. Other benefits include that sodium keeps calcium and other minerals dissolvable in the blood stream and sodium aids against sunstroke.

    Sodium Sources

    • Sodium can be obtained from different sources. Meat, fish, dairy products, and vegetables naturally contain sodium. Sodium is also used as a preservative in processed foods, such as ham, sausage and pastrami. Cooking salt and salt used for spicing up foods at the table also contain it. Besides food, sodium can also be found in over-the-counter medicines such as aspirin or antacids.

    Daily Requirements

    • The body only needs six grams or less of salt daily, according to The Vitamins and Nutrition Center Web site. That amount equates to nearly 2,400 milligrams of sodium or a single teaspoon of table salt. The University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics Dietary Department states that the human body only needs 500 milligrams of sodium each day. However, the body can safely handle as much as 3,300 milligrams daily.

    Drawbacks

    • Sodium needs to be taken in moderation. Too much sodium can lead to high blood pressure or swelling in the feet, ankles, and legs. An overabundance of sodium also can cause osteoporosis because sodium enhances calcium loss. Too little sodium can lead to dehydration.

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