Sodium is an electrolyte that, along with chloride and potassium helps to regulate the acid-base (pH) balance in the body. It also plays an important role in regulating blood pressure.

Because of the high sodium content in most diets, sodium deficiency is rare, but when it does occur, symptoms include muscle twitching, dehydration, nausea, memory loss, and poor concentration.

Recommended Intake

The Food and Nutrition Board recommended a sodium intake of less than 2,400 milligrams per day for adults, but the exact minimum requirements of sodium are not known. The table below provides a list of the estimated minimum requirements for sodium in milligrams (mg) per day.

Age	Male & Female(mg)
Birth to 5 months	120
6-11 months	200
1 year	225
2-5  years	300
6-9 years	400
10-18 years	500
18+ years	500

 Sources of Sodium

Food	Sodium (mg)
Table Salt , 1 tsp	2,358
Pickles, dill, 1 large	1,731
Canned chicken soup, 1 cup	850
Sauerkraut, 1/2 cup	780
Pretzels, 1 oz	486
Cottage cheese, 1/2 cup	459
Sardines, 3 oz	429
Deli ham, 1 oz	341
Deli turkey breast, 1 oz	335
Soy Sauce, 1 tsp	304
Cheese, American, 1 oz	304
Cornflakes, 1 cup	298
Olives, black, 5 large	192
Deli bologna	295
Potato Chips, 1 oz	183