Effects of Excess Sodium Infographic
Excess Levels of Sodium: How too much sodium affects your health
9 out of 10 Americans consume too much sodium.
Where does sodium come from?
More than 70% comes from processed and restaurant foods
About 11% is added while cooking or eating
More than 14% occurs naturally
3,400 milligrams
Amount of sodium an American consumes on average in a day
1,500 milligrams
Recommended by the AHA for ideal heart health
Shake Out Salt
Keep your sodium intake in check as part of an overall heart-healthy eating pattern that emphasizes:
- Variety of fruits and vegetables
- Whole-grain foods
- Fat-free or low-fat dairy products
- Skinless poultry and fish
- Nuts and legumes
- Non-tropical vegetable oils
- Limiting saturated fat, , sodium, red meat, sweets and sugary drinks
- Avoid trans fat
Your Health
Excess levels of sodium/salt may put you at risk for:
- Enlarged heart muscle
- Headaches
- Kidney disease
- Osteoporosis
- Stroke
- Heart failure
- High blood pressure
- Kidney stones
- Stomach cancer
Excess levels of sodium/salt may cause increased water retention that leads to:
- Puffiness
- Bloating
- Weight gain
Heart.org/sodium
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