Sodium Podium

What is sodium?  Sodium is an essential nutrient the human body cannot live without.

What does sodium do for your biology?  Many vital tasks.  Sodium helps:

•  1.      transmit nerve impulses

•  2.      absorb and transport various nutrients

•  3.      maintain acid-base balance

•  4.      regulate pressure between cells

What is the difference between salt and sodium?  Salt is a highly concentrated form of sodium containing 40% sodium and 60% chloride.  Sodium occurs naturally in small amounts in combination with other elements in all kinds of living things.  Plants, animals, and humans, like the oceans, are mostly water, with small amounts of sodium circulating in one form or another. 

How much sodium do you need?  The FDA recommends a maximum of 2,400 mg of sodium per day, but there is no proven benefit for this amount. Most Americans get about twice this amount.  Since sodium occurs naturally in most whole foods, it’s easy to get adequate sodium without adding salt or other sodium-containing condiments.  The issue really is one of avoiding unnecessary sodium, since high sodium intake is associated with diseases such as hypertension and heart disease. www.americanheart.org.

What foods are sources of sodium?   Sodium occurs naturally in small amounts in fruits, vegetables, and unprocessed animal products.  Table salt contributes only about 10% of the sodium in the average American diet.  More is contributed through condiments such as ketchup, mustard, soy sauce, etc.

Where does the excess sodium in the American diet come from?  The culprits are the additives in processed foods.  Since sodium acts as a preservative and flavor enhancer, many processed foods contain large amounts of sodium.  Monosodium glutamate, disodium phosphate, sodium benzoate, sodium hydroxide, and sodium proprionate are popular additives that pack a big sodium punch.  Don’t rely on your tastebuds to warn you of high sodium content.  Read the labels on all processed foods, especially lunch meats, cheese, canned vegetables, sauces, breads, cookies, and crackers.

What do sodium labeling claims really mean? 

•    Sodium Free:  Less than 5 mg per serving.

•     Low Sodium:  Less than 140 mg per serving.

•     Reduced/Lower Sodium:  At least 25% less than traditionally prepared product.

•     No Salt Added:  May contain lots of sodium in other forms, so check the label.

Which of the sodium labels above best describes California Suncakes and Heart Thrives?  With less than 1g of sodium, California Suncakes and Heart Thrives are  Sodium Free foods!

For more great information on dietary sodium, please visit www.eatright.org.