Salt is made up of sodium and chloride and is essential for the body in small amounts. It helps maintain fluid balance, transmit nerve impulses, and influence muscle movement. However, consuming too much sodium can cause excess fluid retention in the body, placing extra burden on organs. It is recommended that adults with cardiac disease consume less than 1500mg of sodium per day. Reducing sodium intake is important for health, and cutting back allows taste buds to adjust to using alternative flavors like fresh herbs, flavored oils and vinegars, and citrus.

1. Blood Pressure
Chapter 3: Salt
Created and Narrated by
Liz Peters, RN, BS, ACSM EP-C

2. Salt/Sodium – What’s the Difference?
Sodium is a component of salt.
Salt is made up of sodium and chloride.
It is an essential mineral, which the body needs every day.

3. Table salt; Sea salt;
Himalayan salt; etc.
All mined and
created a bit
different
SODIUM This is what matters, check the
nutrition label
¼ tsp = about 550 mg sodium

4. Sodium: Essential in small amounts
•Helps maintain the right balance of fluids in your body
•Helps transmit nerve impulses
•Influences the contraction and relaxation of muscles

5. Sodium tends to hold water in the body instead of allowing it
to be excreted normally.
When excess fluid is retained, it places an extra burden on
the body organs.
It is recommended that adults with cardiac disease
consume less then 1500mg of sodium a day

7. 3
x
380 mg
1140 mg

8. Different brands of food will vary in
sodium content
Choose two items to replace each time
you shop
Eventually you will overhaul your cart
with more nutritious choices

9. Cutting back on sodium is
important
Your taste buds will adjust
What other flavors can
you use instead?

11. Flavor alternatives
• Herbs –fresh or dried
• Oils – flavored or original
• Vinegars – flavored or original
• Citrus
• Baking/grilling/broiling for flavor extraction