Explanation:

When reading a "nutrition facts" panel on a food product, look for the sodium content. Foods that are low in sodium (less than 140 mg or 5% of the daily value [DV]) are low in salt.

Explanation:

About 77% of sodium in the American diet comes from processed foods.

Explanation:

An individual's preference for salt is not fixed. After consuming foods lower in salt for a period of time, taste for salt tends to decrease. This usually happens within 8 to 12 weeks.

Explanation:

Salt is made up of sodium and chlorine (called sodium chloride). But there are other forms of sodium in food, including baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) and food additives, such as monosodium glutamate (MSG), sodium nitrite, and sodium benzoate. Any form of sodium adds to your overall daily intake, but salt makes up about 90% of the sodium we consume.

Explanation:

According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 8 ounces of tomato soup has at least 700 mg of sodium, which packs nearly twice the sodium of the same amount of 8 ounces of tomato juice, which has at least 340 mg of sodium.

Explanation:

Canned vegetables have more salt than freshly prepared or frozen vegetables, unless you choose canned foods with "no salt added."

Explanation:

By far, the biggest health problem caused by a high-salt diet is high blood pressure. On average, the higher your salt intake, the higher your blood pressure. And high blood pressure increases your risk for stroke, kidney problems, heart failure, blindness, and heart attacks.

Explanation:

Healthy adults should limit their sodium intake to less than 2,300 mg per day (about the amount in 1 teaspoon of table salt). On average, Americans consume more than 3,400 mg of sodium per day (the amount contained in about 1 1/2 teaspoons of salt).

Explanation:

Certain populations are more prone to high blood pressure or at risk from its effects. For these groups -- including people 50 years of age or older, African-Americans, or people who have high blood pressure, diabetes, or chronic kidney disease --1,500 mg per day is the recommended maximum intake of sodium. Some people may need to consume even less.

Explanation:

Men consume more dietary sodium than women because they simply eat more food.

Explanation:

Table salt, sea salt, and kosher salt are all the same thing: sodium chloride. And they all have the same sodium content (40%). The differences are primarily in texture and taste. In the end, though, they all contribute equally to your total sodium consumption.

Explanation:

Many salt substitutes contain potassium chloride and can be used by individuals to replace salt in their diet. There are no known undesirable effects in healthy people who consume a lot of potassium; however, potassium could be harmful to people with certain medical conditions, such as diabetes, kidney disease, and heart disease. Check with your doctor before using salt substitutes.