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Sodium Directory
Sodium, or salt, is a mineral found in many foods, sometimes in very high amounts. The typical American eats much more salt than the body needs. If you're eating more than a pinch of salt a day -- about a teaspoon -- you are eating more than recommended. Too much salt in your diet affects your body's fluid balance and can lead to serious health problems, including high blood pressure and kidney disease. A healthy diet is one that is low in sodium. For most adults that means no more than 1,500 milligrams per day. Follow the links below to find WebMD's comprehensive coverage about sodium, including tips for following a low-sodium diet, and much more.
Medical Reference
Eating Right With Heart Disease
WebMD offers tips for adopting a heart-healthy diet if you or a loved one has heart disease.
Heart Failure and a Low-Salt Diet
Your heart can benefit from a low-sodium diet. But how do you do that? Here’s how.
Reading Food Labels When You Have Diabetes
Being able to read and understand food and nutrition labels is essential, especially for those with diabetes. WebMD explains how to interpret the Nutrition Facts label on your packaged foods.
Diet and Heart Failure
For people with heart failure, following a healthy diet is important.
Features
Salt: Don't Ban It Entirely
iodozied salt, blood pressure, iodine deficiency
Is Fast Food Killing Our Sense of Taste?
Your sense of taste is being barraged by the loads of salt, fat, and sugar found in double cheeseburgers, waffle fries, and milkshakes.
Salt: Don't Ban It Entirely
Salt is bad for blood pressure but good for brain development.
Salt Shockers
Dozens of foods can drive your sodium consumption way past recommended levels.
Video
What's In Your Fridge?
What’s in your fridge? If you’re too scared to look then it’s probably time for a refrigerator makeover.
What's In Your Pantry?
Is your pantry helping you lose weight? If not, it’s probably time for a healthy makeover.
Sugar vs. Salt: What’s Worse for Blood Pressure?
Salt has always been public enemy number one for your blood pressure. But is sugar worse?
The Other Effects of Salt
Salt is known for raising your blood pressure. But that’s not all it can do.
Slideshows & Images
Quizzes
Health Tools
Expert Commentary
Lowering Blood Pressure: It's a 2-Step Process
The WebMD Weight Loss Clinic Program can work well for people on a low-salt diet, as long as the sodium restriction is not severe (less than 2,000 mg per day).
5 Easy Ways to Cut Back on Salt
Yes, you should still watch your sodium. Here are tips on how to do it.
Diet Myth or Truth: I Don't Need to Worry About Sodium
What's the truth about low-sodium diets? Too much sodium can increase the risk for high blood pressure, heart disease, and stroke. And two out of three Americans need to cut back.
10 Most Tempting Salty Foods: French Fries, Pretzels, Pasta Sauce, and More
Elaine Magee, MPH, RD, discusses salt and sodium in foods, satisfying alternatives, and how much sodium is too much.