Sodium

Sodium

Sodium is an essential electrolyte — your body truly needs it to function. The twist is that most of us get more than enough, so with sodium the conversation is usually about balance rather than getting more.

What does sodium do?

• Keeps your fluids in balance

• Supports nerve and muscle function

• Helps your body absorb certain nutrients

When you get too much, though, it works against potassium — inverting that healthy sodium-potassium ratio and disturbing the body’s acid-base balance, which over time can even contribute to bone loss.

Where does sodium come from?

Most of the sodium we eat doesn’t come from the salt shaker — it’s already in processed and packaged foods, bread, cheese, cured meats, sauces and ready meals. That’s worth knowing, because it’s where the easiest savings are.

Can you have too much — or too little?

Too little is rare for most people (though heavy sweating during long exercise can be an exception). Too much is the more common picture, and a consistently high intake is linked to raised blood pressure. The gentlest way to find balance isn’t to fear salt, but to lean towards more home-cooked, whole foods and fewer heavily processed ones — your taste buds adjust surprisingly quickly.

Common questions

Where does most of our sodium come from? Mainly processed and packaged foods, rather than the salt added at the table.

Is salt bad for me? Your body needs some sodium; the issue for most people is simply getting more than they need, largely from processed foods.

This is general information to help you eat well, not medical advice. If you have a specific concern, your doctor is the best person to help.