Research

Hormonal

Sodium intake between 3 and 5 g/day is associated with the lowest risk of cardiovascular disease and mortality, whereas intake below 3 g/day or above 5 g/day is associated with increased risk.

Aim for a sodium intake of 3 to 5 grams per day (approx. 0.75 to 1.25 teaspoons of salt). This range is associated with the lowest risk of heart disease and death. Avoid extreme restriction below 3 grams, which may increase risk, and excessive intake above 5 grams, which raises blood pressure and risk, especially if you have hypertension.

ModerateQualifiesMEDIUM confidence
We contend that current evidence indicates that most people around the world consume a moderate range of dietary sodium (3 to 5 g/day), that this level of intake is associated with the lowest risk of cardiovascular disease and mortality, and that the risk of adverse health outcomes increases when sodium intakes exceeds 5 g/day or is below 3 g/day.
Andrew Mente et al. · Nutrients · 2021

Why this rating

The paper relies heavily on prospective cohort studies and meta-analyses, noting limitations in randomized controlled trials (RCTs) for long-term outcomes.

Source

Sodium Intake and Health: What Should We Recommend Based on the Current Evidence?

Andrew Mente et al. · Nutrients · 2021

DOI 10.3390/nu13093232

narrative_reviewCited 130×
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DOI resolved against Crossref · corpus check 2026-06-10

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