Recommendations for Sodium Intake from the 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans

Most Americans consume too much salt. The 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommends significant reductions in sodium intake.

1 gram of sodium is 43.5 mmol of sodium (molecular weight 22.9 g)

Sodium represents 39.2% of the weight of salt.

The average salt intake of Americans is 3.4 grams of sodium per day. Some individuals consume higher amounts.

Population	Daily Sodium Target
default	< 2.3 g per day
adult >= 51 years of age	< 1.5 g per day
African-American	< 1.5 g per day
hypertension, diabetes, chronic kidney disease	< 1.5 g per day

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