Despite Americans consuming more salt than the recommended daily average, a new Danish study suggests that U.S. sodium consumption might be hovering at the optimal amount.
Researchers from the Albert Einstein College of Medicine and the Copenhagen University Hospital collaborated on the report, which was published in the American Journal of Hypertension. The study's findings indicate that too little salt may be detrimental to one's health - what many may see as a surprising outcome, given that most warnings around salt consumption are to limit one's intake. Whether the intake of salt is too high (exceeding 12,000 milligrams) or too low per day, cardiovascular risks increase.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) currently recommends that people do not consume more than 2,300 mg of sodium per day for those under 50, and no more than 1,500 mg per day for those over 50. However, the Danish study has found that the ideal level of salt consumption is around 2,645 and 4,945 mg per day, a figure that aligns more closely with how much the average American actually consumes. It's also significant to note that the data, derived from a larger population study, may not necessarily mean that higher sodium intake is better for different individuals - rather, it indicates that the scope of what is safe for whom is more flexible than previously thought. Consumers are also advised to watch out for the added salt content in prepared and processed foods, which make up the bulk of ingested sodium.
However, despite the new information pointing to some wiggle room, the CDC is maintaining its current guidelines. "Nearly everyone benefits from reduced sodium consumption," said CDC public health analyst Janelle Gunn, who specializes in heart disease and stroke prevention. "Ninety percent of Americans exceed the general daily recommended sodium intake limit of 2,300 mg, increasing their risk for high blood pressure, heart disease, and stroke."
