Eating to Lower Blood Pressure: How Much Sodium Is OK?

Eating a diet high in sodium can cause complications for people with high blood pressure. Many prepared and processed foods already have plenty of salt, so it’s important to read the labels of food you buy to reduce your sodium intake. The recommended daily limit is ideally around 1,500 mg and up to 2,300 mg daily, or half a teaspoon.

Start trying other ingredients that can help improve the flavor of your meals, like herbs and spices. Be sure to look for spice blends that don’t also have added salt. Learn more information on foods and drinks to limit when lowering pressure here.

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Written by:

Marisa Taylor Karas

Marisa Taylor Karas is a freelance journalist based in Brooklyn who has covered health, gender, and technology for 15 years. She previously worked at The Wall Street Journal, The Guardian, and Al Jazeera America, among other publications, and also served as managing editor of the Mellon Foundation in New York City.

Reviewed by:

Sanjai Sinha, MD

Sanjai Sinha, MD, is a board-certified physician with over 20 years of experience. He specializes in internal medicine.

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