Natural foods Most food contains some sodium in its natural state. Natural foods such as cheeses, seafood, olives and some legumes may have a higher-than-expected sodium content.

Processed foods Americans consume up to 75 percent of their sodium from processed foods like tomato sauce, soups, condiments, canned foods and prepared mixes. When buying prepared and prepackaged foods, read the labels. Many different sodium compounds are added to foods. These are listed on food labels. Watch for the words "soda" and "sodium" and the symbol "Na" on labels; these words show that sodium compounds are present. The American Heart Association is working with federal agencies to identify strategies to reduce the amount of sodium in the food supply. AHA is also encouraging food manufacturers and restaurants to reduce the amount of sodium in foods by 50 percent over a 10-year period.

	Table salt (sodium chloride) Used in cooking, seasoning at the table, canning and preserving.
	Some over-the-counter drugs Some over-the-counter medications contain high levels of sodium. Carefully read the labels before buying an over-the-counter drug. Look at the ingredients list and warning statements to see if they mention sodium. A statement of sodium content must appear on labels of antacids containing 5 mg or more per dosage unit (table or teaspoon). Some companies produce low-sodium, over-the-counter products. If in doubt, ask a healthcare professional.
	Some prescription medications Consumers can't tell by looking at a bottle whether a prescription drug contains sodium. If you have HBP, ask your physician or pharmacist about the sodium content of prescription medications. Regardless, NEVER stop taking your prescribed medication without first checking with your doctor.
	Monosodium glutamate (MSG) Used in home, restaurant and hotel cooking and in many packaged, canned and frozen foods as a seasoning.
	Baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) Sometimes used to leaven breads and cakes; sometimes added to vegetables in cooking; used as alkalizer for indigestion. 1 teaspoon of baking soda = 1,000 mg sodium
	Baking powder Used to leaven quick breads and cakes.
	Disodium phosphate Found in some quick-cooking cereals and processed cheeses.
	Sodium alginate Used in many chocolate milks and ice creams to make a smooth mixture.
	Sodium benzoate Used as a preservative in many condiments such as relishes, sauces and salad dressings.
	Sodium hydroxide Used in food processing to soften and loosen skins of ripe olives and certain fruits and vegetables.
	Sodium nitrite Used in cured meats and sausages.
	Sodium propionate Used in pasteurized cheese and in some breads and cakes to inhibit growth of molds.
	Sodium sulfite Used to bleach certain fruits such as maraschino cherries and glazed or crystallized fruits that are to be artificially colored; also used as a preservative in some dried fruits such as prunes.

This content is reviewed regularly; last updated 10/12/09.