Sodium Intake of the U.S. Population: What We Eat In America, NHANES 2007-2008

Excerpt

The scientific literature indicates a strong relationship between increasing levels of sodium intake in adults and risk for hypertension; in children from birth through 18 years, there is moderate evidence that as sodium intake decreases, blood pressure decreases (1). Further, increasing evidence suggests that sodium may have independent, direct harmful effects on stroke risk, cardiovascular disease, renal disease, osteoporosis, and risk for gastric cancer (1, 2). The 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommend a sodium intake of less than 2300 mg per day, with further reductions to 1500 mg for certain high risk groups including individuals aged 51 years and older and individuals of any age who are African-American, or have hypertension, diabetes, or chronic kidney disease. Data on the intake of sodium in the United States as reported in What We Eat In America, NHANES 2007-2008 are presented in this report. The contribution of food categories to total sodium intake is also discussed.