Low-Sodium Foods

High levels of sodium in diet can cause a variety of health problems for the consumer. Most significantly, high sodium intake contributes to high blood pressure, which, in turn, can increase the risk of stroke and heart disease. High levels of sodium intake are also associated with diabetes, obesity, and kidney disease. Although a certain amount of sodium in diet (500 milligrams/day) is necessary for regular bodily functions, sodium levels in the average American diet have skyrocketed over the past four decades, largely because of the increased availability of prepared (e.g., frozen, canned) foods and snack foods, which contain a lot of salt for taste. Moreover, more Americans eat out in fast food and other restaurants, which also contribute to high sodium intake. The average ...