But the average American consumes 4,200 mg per day, which is twice the recommendation. Suprisingly, only 15 to 25 percent comes from the salt shaker, and 10 percent comes naturally from food. Most of our sodium, about 75 percent, is from processed foods and restaurants. The U.S. Department of Agriculture releases new dietary guidelines every five years. Despite the bad rap sodium seems to get, it is necessary for our bodies.
Sodium helps move our muscles and develop bone.
It also plays a big role in our blood volume. Even though sodium is necessary, there can be consequences from too much sodium. Not all people are affected the same way. Fluid retention or bloating can be a side effect of a high salt intake. This makes sense because when we eat salty food we get thirsty.