What is the recommended daily sodium intake?

The recommended daily sodium intake is 2,300 milligrams, according to Mayo Clinic; however, people who are over 51 or black or who have high blood pressure, diabetes or chronic kidney disease should not ingest more than 1,500 milligrams each day. In most cases, however, less sodium is preferable.

The human body requires sodium to balance bodily fluids, send nerve impulses and move muscles, states Mayo Clinic. Excess amounts of sodium are handled by the kidneys and leave the body in urine. If this process does not function properly, the blood holds too much sodium. This pulls water in, making blood volume too high. The heart has to work harder to pump it, and arterial pressure increases.