Despite efforts by the medical community to heighten awareness of the dangers of too much sodium in the diet, most Americans have no idea how much sodium they really eat. The results of an American Heart Association (AHA) survey found that 97 percent of the people questioned could not estimate or underestimated how much sodium they consume daily. Most of those surveyed were off by about 1,000 milligrams. Thats a serious concern, since the AHA recommends no more than 1,500 mg of sodium per day for optimal heart health. The majority of Americans eat about 3,000 mg of sodium per day. Too much sodium can increase blood pressure by causing the body to retain fluids and increase the volume of blood being pumped every day. High blood pressure is a major risk factor for stroke and other cardiovascular problems. Its a challenge to reduce salt in the diet, since about 75 percent of the sodium Americans consume comes from processed and prepackaged foods and restaurant foods. Experts recommend opting for no- or low-sodium items and flavoring them at home with seasonings other than salt. Paying attention to food labels and asking for the sodium content of restaurant food is a good way to become more mindful of your sodium intake.
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