Sodium is an essential mineral for our body to function properly.
The main source of sodium in the diet comes from sodium chloride, commonly known as salt. There is around 40 g of sodium in 100 g of salt.
Sodium contributes to many bodily functions, including:
Sodium is an important electrolyte that regulate the amount of water outside the cells.
Sodium is required to generate nerve impulses by moving ions out of cells.
Sodium plays a primordial role in the regulation of blood pressure.
Recommended Daily Allowance for a 44-year-old male moderately active, weighting 70 kg and 175 cm tall is 1 500 mg and the Tolerable Upper Intake is 2 300 mg (1).
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Sodium deficiency is very rare. According to the FNB (Food and Nutrition Board of the Institute of Medicine), sodium deficiency could increase the risk of cardiovascular disease (2).
Hyponatremia is the term used to describe abnormally low amounts of sodium in the blood. Symptoms of hyponatremia can include:
According to the FNB, excessive consumption of sodium could increase the risk of hypertension, cardiovascular disease, and stroke (2).