The recommended daily sodium intake varies slightly by organization but generally falls within a similar range:
- The U.S. nutrition experts set a daily limit of 2,300 milligrams (mg) for people aged 14 and older
- The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends a limit of 2,000 mg per day for adults
- The American Heart Association (AHA) suggests an ideal limit of no more than 1,500 mg per day for most adults to improve heart health
- The Institute of Medicine also recommends aiming for about 1,500 mg per day
Most people consume much more sodium than recommended-on average, Americans consume about 3,400 to 3,500 mg daily , which is well above these guidelines
. Sodium is essential for bodily functions, with the minimum physiological need being around 200 to 500 mg per day , but excessive intake is linked to high blood pressure and increased risk of heart disease
. In summary:
- General adult limit: Less than 2,300 mg/day (about 1 teaspoon of salt)
- Ideal for heart health: Around 1,500 mg/day
- Minimum physiological need: 200–500 mg/day
Reducing sodium intake, especially from processed and restaurant foods, is advised to lower the risk of hypertension and cardiovascular disease
. However, very low sodium intake may not benefit everyone and could be harmful in some cases, so individual needs may vary
. For children, recommended sodium limits are lower and vary by age
