Salt Intake Level of Most Americans Healthier than CDC Guidelines , Researchers Say

A new study shows the levels of sodium in diet recommended by health experts are unrealistically low and that an average American's sodium intake is healthier than CDC recommendations.

High levels of sodium in diet can lead to several health complications. And health experts have been urging Americans for years to cut down on salt consumption. Sodium isn't confined to the salt shaker on the table, but is also lurking around in the delicious smoked bacon (1,803 mg of sodium per 100-gram serving), Caesar salad dressing (1,079 mg) and of course, in fries, hot dogs and chicken strips.

According to Centers for Disease and Prevention, healthy people under age 50 years must eat no more than 2300mg of sodium per day. The new study found that 2,645 - 4,945 mg of sodium per day is a healthier option than CDC guidelines.

"Our results are in line with the IOM's concern that lower levels could produce harm, and they provide a concrete basis for revising the recommended range in the best interest of public health," said Dr. Niels Graudal, the study's lead author, according to a news release.

According to Graudal, the study support the results of a 2013 report by the Institute of Medicine.  

"The good news," he said in a news release, "is that around 95% of the global population already consumes within the range we've found to generate the least instances of mortality and cardiovascular disease.

An analysis of 25 previous studies involving over 274,683 individuals was done.

Researchers found that there was a U-shaped correlation between health and sodium intake. Any deviation from the 2,645 - 4,945 mg led to poor health outcomes. In other words, both high and low levels of salt intake can be bad for health.

The study is published in the American Journal of Hypertension. Sodium isn't just present in foods, but also in medication. So, it is always better to discuss salt intake levels with a health practitioner before making dietary changes.