Sodium is a very important element for the body as it allows it to function properly by controlling blood pressure and blood flow. In addition, sodium is also essential for muscles and nerves to function properly. Depending on the health condition of each person, a diet high in sodium can be beneficial or detrimental to health.
Sodium is found naturally in many foods and the most common way to find it in foods is through sodium chloride: kitchen salt. However, there are many products that contain added sodium. In this FastlyHealarticle you can learn about foods rich in sodium .
Table of Contents
Benefits of consuming sodium
There are many health benefits of consuming sodium , it is that this element intervenes in many processes of the organism and guarantees its health. Some functions of sodium in the body are:
- Regulate blood pressure . Consuming too much sodium can trigger hypertension, but low sodium intake can lead to hypotension. Therefore it is advisable to maintain a balance in sodium intake.
- Cell metabolism . It intervenes in the ability of cell membranes to absorb nutrients, in addition to promoting the production of new cells.
- Nervous system . Sodium helps the nervous system as it is involved in the transmission of nerve impulses in the body.
Contraindications of sodium consumption in excess
The excessive consumption of sodium can bring important complications for health, especially in people who have heart problems or suffer from high blood pressure. Among the adverse effects of excessive sodium consumption we find:
- Swelling . When sodium is consumed in excess, swelling can occur in the extremities. This occurs because the salt that enters the body is eliminated through the kidneys, which, in the presence of too much salt, cannot function properly and fluid retention occurs.
- Heart problems . The fluid retention not only affects the kidneys and limbs, but it hurts the heart causing this muscle can not beat properly, can cause cerebrovascular accident, heart failure and heart attacks.
- Hypertension . The consumption of partner can stimulate the malfunction of the heart and raise the levels of tension, causing hypertension. People who suffer from high blood pressure should eat a diet low in salt , since sodium stimulates this condition and can be harmful to health.
Bread and sausages
Bread and cold cuts are among the foods that contain the highest amount of sodium . Bread, for example, has been proven through scientific studies that it offers the body 276 milligrams of sodium, while sausages such as ham, turkey, sausages and salami can provide 278 milligrams per 25 grams.
Popcorn
Delicious and with a lot of sodium. Popcorn is considered a healthy snack because it suppresses your appetite and does not add a lot of fat. However, this food is very rich in salt, so it provides 365 grams of sodium to the body. The recommendation is to eat them natural and not add salt or butter.
Milk and fresh cheese
Dairy products are essential for the body due to their calcium content that promotes the health and strength of the bones. However, their consumption should be moderate, since they provide a lot of sodium to the body: a cup of milk has 107 milligrams of sodium, while 35 grams of fresh cheese have 140 milligrams of sodium.
French fries, anchovies and soy sauce
Although they are a favorite food of many, you should know that this contour provides 278 milligrams of sodium when combined with some type of sauce. The healthiest thing is that you reduce its consumption. Another food rich in sodium is soy sauce, and it is that just by tasting it you can appreciate its high salt content. How much sodium does 100 grams of soy contain? 5720 milligrams. After soybeans, anchovies follow in the list of foods with are sodium: 3930 mg per 100 grams.
recommendations
In our day-to-day lives, it is common to find many foods rich in sodium that, although they are not harmful to health, their high salt composition suggests consuming them in moderation . The daily sodium intake of a healthy adult should not exceed 2,300 mg, while adults with hypertension should not exceed 1,500 mg.
To eat a healthy diet and not overindulge in sodium, it is necessary to know that a teaspoon of kitchen salt contains 2300 mg, so the way we cook and season food is very important. In case of suffering from hypertension, it is recommended to season your meals with natural dressings: onion, paprika, chili peppers, garlic, etc.
This article is merely informative, at FastlyHeal .com we do not have the power to prescribe medical treatments or make any type of diagnosis. We invite you to see a doctor in the case of presenting any type of condition or discomfort.
If you want to read more articles similar to Foods rich in sodium , we recommend that you enter our Food category .

I am a Surgeon with a diploma in comprehensive ultrasound and surgical care residency, an area I am specializing in. During the exercise of my profession, I have realized the need for patients to know the diseases they suffer, and I can tell you that a large part of their complications is due to a lack of information. Being a health web writer allows me to transmit my experience, without borders, to all those readers eager for knowledge, educate them in the prevention of diseases and promote a healthy lifestyle.
