Sodium is an essential nutrient required by the body for maintaining proper blood pressure and for providing channels of nerve signalling. Deficiency of sodium is rare, but can occur in people after excessive vomiting or diarrhoea, in athletes who consume excessive amounts of water, or in people who regularly fast on juice and water. Over-consumption of sodium is far more common and can lead to high blood pressure which in turn leads to an increased risk of heart attack and stroke. The current percent daily value (%DV) for sodium is 2400mg, however, the American Heart Association recommends that people with high blood pressure eat less that 1500mg per day, or less than 3/4 of a table spoon of salt. Since sodium is required by all life to exist, it is naturally found in all foods and rarely does salt ever need to be added. Foods high in sodium include table salt, sauces, salad dressings, pickles, instant soup, roasted salted nuts, snacks, fast foods, and canned foods.

Also in Turnips, raw milk, cheese, wheat germ, cucumbers, beets, string beans, lima beans, okra, pumpkins.

DV is (Daily Value)