Sodium
Sodium is an essential mineral or micronutrient which along with potassium helps
to regulate the body's fluid balance. Unlike other minerals, sodium (or sodium
chloride, alias salt) has a recognizable and popular taste, and is widely added
to snack foods and other processed foods.
Sodium deficiency is not common, and according to some experts the average
Western diet provides more than 5 times the recommended daily allowance of
sodium. Excess sodium intake is linked with high blood pressure and heart
disease.
Dietary sodium is measured in milligrams (mg). The most common form of sodium
used is table salt, which is 40 percent sodium. One teaspoon of table salt contains
2,300 milligrams of sodium. (source)
Sodium ions are necessary for regulation of blood and body fluids, transmission
of nerve impulses, heart activity, and certain metabolic functions. It is widely
considered that most people consume more than is needed, in the form of sodium
chloride, or table salt, and that this can have a negative effect on the health.
