Most people consume far more sodium than their bodies actually need, and the effects on cardiovascular health are well documented. The average person takes in roughly 9 grams of salt per day, which ... Most Americans consume too much sodium, increasing the risk of heart disease and stroke; ideally, adults should aim for 1,500–2,300 mg per day.

Understanding the Context

Too little sodium can also be harmful, as the body needs ... St. Louis American: Nine in 10 U.S. adults get too much sodium every day Medical Xpress: Eating about 4,200 mg sodium a day may raise heart failure risk 15% Eating about 4,200 mg sodium a day may raise heart failure risk 15% It is a soft, silvery-white, highly reactive metal.

Key Insights

Sodium is an alkali metal, being in group 1 of the periodic table. Its only stable isotope is 23 Na. The free metal does not occur in nature and must be prepared from compounds. Maintaining proper sodium levels in your blood is critical to health. Learn about the symptoms of low sodium, sodium blood tests, and normal sodium levels.

Final Thoughts

sodium (Na), chemical element of the alkali metal group (Group 1 [Ia]) of the periodic table. Sodium is a very soft silvery-white metal. Sodium is the most common alkali metal and the sixth most abundant element on Earth, comprising 2.8 percent of Earth’s crust.