Only in Moderation Sodium is a mineral found in salt. The major hazard of excess sodium in the diet is to people with high blood pressure and people at risk for high blood pressure. Usually people with high blood pressure are able to decrease their blood pressure by eating a low sodium diet. Other people might be able to decrease their risk of getting high blood pressure or delay the onset of high blood pressure if they follow a low sodium diet. It is estimated that 10 to 30 percent of Americans are sensitive to salt and sodium.
Sodium is only one of many factors known to affect blood pressure.
Heredity, obesity, lack of exercise, and excessive drinking of alcoholic beverages can also increase risk of high blood pressure. Your taste for salt can be unlearned within a few months. Season foods with herbs, spices, lemon juice, vinegar and other low sodium seasonings. Read food labels. A food marked low sodium has less than 140 milligrams of sodium per serving.