The general recommendation for sodium intake per day for most adults is to keep it under 2,300 milligrams (mg), which is about one teaspoon of table salt. Many health organizations, including the World Health Organization (WHO), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the American Heart Association (AHA), endorse this limit
. However, the American Heart Association and the Institute of Medicine suggest aiming even lower, around 1,500 mg per day, especially for those concerned with heart health or high blood pressure
. Key points:
- Recommended limit: Less than 2,300 mg sodium per day for healthy adults.
- Ideal target: Around 1,500 mg sodium per day for most adults to reduce cardiovascular risk.
- Average intake: The average American consumes about 3,400 to 3,500 mg daily, which is well above recommendations
- Special cases: Athletes or people exposed to high heat may require more sodium due to loss through sweat
In summary, aiming for no more than 2,300 mg of sodium daily is the general guideline, with a preferable target of 1,500 mg for better heart health outcomes