Mississippi State Department of Health

Salt and Sodium Reduction

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Americans consume too much sodium, both from added salt and high sodium levels in packaged and restaurant food.

High sodium consumption raises blood pressure, and high blood pressure is a major risk factor for heart disease and stroke — among the nation's leading causes of death.

Sodium Myths and Facts

MYTH: The benefits of sodium reduction haven't been proved.

A large body of strong scientific evidence shows that greater sodium intake causes higher blood pressure, and that reducing sodium intake lowers blood pressure.

MYTH: I can just limit my use of salt at home.

Restaurant food and processed food in stores have so much sodium already added that added salt at home makes up only a small part of overall sodium intake. Three-quarters of the sodium we consume has been put into our food before we buy it.

MYTH: There are more important dietary changes to make than sodium reduction.

Sodium needs attention because excess intake increases blood pressure, and high blood pressure is a major public health problem for millions of Americans.

MYTH: Lowering my sodium won't have much effect on my blood pressure.

Even moderate changes in sodium intake can have significant benefits. A 10 percent reduction in sodium consumption could prevent 480,000 U.S. heart attacks and 500,000 strokes.

MYTH: Food with less salt wouldn't taste good.

A person's taste for salt — the major source of sodium — can change. Americans' current appetite for salt likely comes from excess salt in the food supply. Gradually reducing sodium in food will allow individual tastes to adjust.

What You Can Do

More Information

Fact Sheets



Links referenced on this page
Salt and Health    https://www.cdc.gov/salt/
Food Facts: Sodium in your Diet (FDA)    https://www.fda.gov/media/84261/download
Cut Down on Sodium    https://health.gov/sites/default/files/2021-08/DGA_SodiumFactSheet_2021-05-26_508c.pdf
Sodium: Look at the Label    https://www.fda.gov/media/84316/download?attachment

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