Is Sodium the Same Thing as Salt

 Yes, sodium and salt are related. Salt is a compound made up of two elements, sodium and chloride, and it is the primary source of dietary sodium. When we talk about sodium intake, we're usually referring to the amount of sodium in the diet, which is measured in milligrams (mg). Salt is measured in grams (g) and is 40% sodium by weight.

For example, if a food contains 2,400 mg of sodium, it contains about 1 teaspoon (5 g) of salt. So, when you see the terms "sodium" and "salt" used interchangeably, it is because they are closely related, and the amount of sodium in the diet can be estimated by the amount of salt consumed.

It's important to be mindful of sodium intake because high levels of sodium in the diet are associated with high blood pressure, which is a risk factor for heart disease and stroke. The American Heart Association recommends that adults limit their daily sodium intake to less than 2,300 mg, and an ideal target is 1,500 mg per day.