Salt is one of the most common ingredients used in almost all cuisines. The food stands incomplete if it lacks proper amount of salt. But, a recent study stated that excess sodium can host various health problems. Adding too much salt to the diet can even cause excess fluids, which may lead to overtime for the heart. Although sodium is considered to be very important for proper muscle and nerve functioning, excess of the same can increase the risk of diseases like kidney stones, osteoporosis, high blood pressure and gastric ulcers.

According to chief of clinical dietetics at the Mayo Clinic Food&Nutrition Center in Rochester, Minnesota, Jennifer Nelson, "Salt is a silent threat. Often, people are simply unaware and don't realize they're consuming too much." The recommended limit of sodium for the body in a day is 2300 milligrams.  However, we usually exceed this recommend limit through our regular diet. 

One of the easiest ways of cutting down the salt content in the diet is skipping the table salt. However, we also get high sodium levels from processed or packaged foods. So, avoiding processed and packaged food items can also help in lowering the sodium intake and thus, lowering the risk of various health issues. Follow the chart given below to control your sodium intake – 

You can get approximately 40 % sodium from the table salt. Understand the exact amount of sodium in salt- 

•    1/4 teaspoon salt = 600 mg sodium

•    1/2 teaspoon salt = 1,200 mg sodium

•    3/4 teaspoon salt = 1,800 mg sodium

•    1 teaspoon salt = 2,300 mg sodium

By following this above mentioned chart, you can very easily control your sodium intake by cutting down on the table salt. Moreover, the American Heart Association proposes to consume less than 1500 mg of sodium in a day.

Now, as you are aware that excess sodium can host various health problems, keep aside the table salt and avoid packaged foods to control your body's sodium level.  

ImageCourtesy@http://www.health.com/health/gallery/0,,20365078,00.html