This can lead to lifelong unhealthy eating habits and have a negative effect on children’s blood pressure. In fact, almost 3 quarters of Victorian school children are eating more than the recommended amount. Recommended salt intake for Australian childrenĪustralian children are eating too much salt too. Sodium intake above 2,000mg per day is associated with high blood pressure, which is a risk factor for kidney disease and cardiovascular disease (such as heart disease and stroke). An adult body only needs around 1 to 2g of salt (460 to 920mg sodium) per day to function. The National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) advises that Australian adults should aim to consume no more than one teaspoon (5 grams) of salt a day (or 2,000mg of sodium a day) in order to prevent chronic disease.Īiming for less than this is perfectly okay too. The average Australian consumes almost double the amount of sodium they need for good health. On the other hand, if sodium levels drop too low, the hormone aldosterone is released, and this increases the amount of sodium held in the body by reducing the amount lost in urine.Įxcessive sodium loss is very rare, but low sodium levels in the body can be dangerous if not treated. Too much sodium can cause high blood pressure and many other health conditions. The kidneys are the main regulators of sodium levels in the body.
However, most people consume much more sodium than they need.
It is commonly used to preserve and flavour foods and is the main source of sodium in our diet.Ī small amount of sodium is important for good health as it helps to maintain the correct volume of circulating blood and tissue fluids in the body. Salt is a chemical compound (electrolyte) made up of sodium and chloride.
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