Sodium
A small amount of sodium is important for good health as it helps to maintain the correct volume of circulating blood and tissue fluids in the body.
Most of us are consuming far more sodium than we need. In fact, many Australians are consuming almost double the amount required.
Too much sodium can lead to high blood pressure (hypertension) and other health conditions.
Food sources of sodium
Salt is the main source of sodium in our diet. It is a chemical compound (electrolyte) made up of sodium and chloride.
Many foods – wholegrains, meat and dairy products – naturally contain small amounts of sodium, while highly processed foods usually contain large amounts.
