African Americans and Sodium

The Dietary Guidelines for Americans encourage African Americans to reduce sodium intake to even lower levels than other Americans.  The Guidelines encourage all African Americans, even those who are young and healthy, to reduce sodium intake to less than 1,500 mg per day, while other healthy Americans under 50 are advised to reduce sodium intake to less than 2,300 mg.  The blood pressure of African Americans tends to be more responsive to the blood pressure-raising effects of sodium.  Keeping blood pressure in the normal range reduces  risk of cardiovascular disease, congestive heart failure, and kidney disease. 

People of any race with hypertension, diabetes, or chronic kidney disease and all individuals ages 51 and older are also encouraged to reduce sodium intake to less than 1,500 mg.

For more information, see the Dietary Guidelines for Americans: Foods and Food Components to Reduce