how much sodium should you have a day

The recommended amount of sodium intake for most adults is no more than 2,300 milligrams (mg) per day. For people with higher risk factors such as high blood pressure, heart disease, or diabetes, a lower limit of about 1,500 mg per day is advised. This recommendation is to help reduce the risk of high blood pressure, heart attack, and stroke. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends less than 2,000 mg of sodium per day (equivalent to less than 5 grams of salt). Average sodium intake in many populations exceeds these recommendations, often due to high consumption of processed and restaurant foods, where sodium is commonly added as a preservative or flavor enhancer. To manage intake, it is important to check food labels and focus on fresh foods with little added salt.