Sodium

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Sodium
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• Function of Sodium in the Diet
• Sodium is a mineral that occurs naturally in
  some foods and is added to many foods and
  beverages during processing, cooking, or at the
  table.

Sodium attracts water into the blood vessels and
helps maintain normal blood volume and blood
pressure. Sodium is also needed for the normal
function of nerves and muscles.

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• Sources of Sodium in the Diet
• 1/3 of sodium comes from salt added to food
  during cooking or at the table.

2/3 of sodium is naturally present or added
during processing.
Most of the sodium in the American diet comes
from table salt (sodium chloride).
40 - 60
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Salt to Sodium Conversion ¼ teaspoon salt 500
milligrams sodium

• Recommended Dietary Intake
• The safe and adequate amount of dietary
  sodium is estimated at 1,100 to 3,300 milligrams
  daily for adults and slightly less for teens.

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• Health Risks Associated with Sodium
• High-sodium diets increase the risk of high
  blood
• pressure among some people and aggravates
• high blood pressure once it exists.

_
High blood pressure increases the risk of heart
attacks, strokes, and kidney disease.
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1. Sources of Sodium other than Table Salt

• Bread and bakery products
• Cured and processed meats
• Canned vegetables
• Milk products (processed cheeses highest)
• (natural cheeses
  lowest)
• Convenience foods
• Condiments (pickles, ketchup, etc.)
• Snacks

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• Sodium is added to many foods to flavor them or
  for
• functional purposes.

Baking Powder Baking Soda - Leaveners
Monosodium Glutamate (MSG) Flavor enhancer
Sodium Benzoate - Preservative
Sodium Caseinate Thickener, binder
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Sodium Citrate Buffer, control acidity in soft
drinks and fruit
drinks
Sodium Nitrite Curing agent in meat, provides
color, prevents
botulism
Sodium Phosphate Emulsifier, stabilizer, buffer
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Sodium Propionate Mold inhibitor
Sodium Saccharin Artificial sweetener