Daily sodium intake above 2,300 milligrams (mg) is a cardiovascular (heart) disease risk factor.
Illustration by Zoe Hansen for Verywell Health
Average Daily Sodium vs.
Recommended Intake
Many people likely underestimate how muchsodiumthey eat.
Illustration by Zoe Hansen for Verywell Health
The Dietary Guidelines recommends a daily limit of 2,300 mg of sodium for people age 14 and older.
Managingyour daily sodium intakeis part of following an overall healthy diet.
Does Age or Sex Change Anything?
Recommendations are different for people younger than 14.
How Much Sodium per Day Is Healthy?
The Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommends a daily sodium intake of 2,300 mg or about 1 teaspoon of salt.
The American Heart Association (AHA) also recommends a daily sodium limit of 2,300 mg. Talk with a healthcare provider if you have questions about how much sodium per day is healthy for you.
The researchers found that decreasing sodium in the diet significantly lowered blood pressure in most participants.
Limiting your sodium intake may help decrease your blood pressure levels if you have high blood pressure.
Another way to check for sodium in a product is to look at the ingredients.
Look for words such as “sodium,” “salt,” or “soda.”
These words may indicate that sodium has been added to the product.
This will help give you the most accurate information about your daily sodium intake.
However, too much sodium can increase blood pressure as well as the risk of heart disease andstroke.
Four studies tested the health benefits of theDASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) diet.
Another trial measured the benefits of following the DASH diet and increasing physical activity.
Use the nutrition facts label to help guide your choices at the grocery store.
U.S. Department of Agriculture.2020-2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans.
American Heart Association.Shaking the salt habit to lower high blood pressure.
American Heart Association.How much sodium should I eat per day?
2023;330(23):2258-2266. doi:10.1001/jama.2023.23651
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.About sodium and health.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Leading causes of death.
World Health Organization.Sodium reduction.
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.The science behind the DASH eating plan.
Chan School of Public Health.Processed foods and health.
American Heart Association.Get the scoop on sodium and salt.
US Department of Health and Human Services.Lower-sodium foods: shopping list.
American Heart Association.How to reduce sodium in your diet.
