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American Salt Intake Is 2X Too High

By Harry Kimball,  Newser Staff

Posted Mar 27, 2009 4:32 PM CDT

(Newser) – Most Americans eat way too much salt, and people with salt-sensitive medical conditions consume twice as much as they should, Scientific American reports. The American average is 3,456 milligrams per day. The FDA guideline for someone not at risk is 2,300 milligrams, or one teaspoon. For older people, African Americans, and people with hiogh blood pressure—about two-thirds of the population—that number is 1,500 milligrams.

Fast food french fries.
Fast food french fries.   (AP Photo)
Not so fast, Mr. President.
Not so fast, Mr. President.   (AP Photo)
A salt shaker.
A salt shaker.   (©Ingorrr)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 4 comments
Forderon
Mar 29, 2009 3:06 AM CDT
We consume too much of something that's bad for us? I'm shocked.
piesmusher
Mar 28, 2009 12:40 PM CDT
damn, too much salt. we need some slow food lol
freethemall
Mar 28, 2009 12:30 PM CDT
I know I consume way too much salt. I'm sure I'll die from it, if something else don't kill me first.

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