Benefits of Sodium in Our Body. Think of it as Table’s Best Better Half!!

What is it – Benefits – Sources

Benefits of Sodium. Sodium is abundantly present on Mother Earth. Most of us don’t know of Sodium in its pure and very reactive form, but in compounds such as table salt (sodium chloride).

While it has very important functions, Sodium is very often the black sheep of the mineral family due to its association with the development of high blood pressure, also known as hypertension. This condition can lead to an increased risk for stroke, heart attacks, coronary heart disease, and heart failure.

The average healthy adult needs about 2,300 milligrams per day, about 1 tablespoon. We all need Sodium for proper blood pressure regulation. Of note, low Sodium can cause a variety of serious malfunctions in the body. As an electrolyte, Sodium regulates bodily fluids and facilitates the transmission of electrical impulses in the body and, also, is an important regulator of muscle contractions.

A typical question for those who are interested is how to recognize Sodium deficiency in our body. As established above, intake of Sodium should be about 2,300 milligrams per day and the lack of proper intake may result in symptoms ranging in quality from irritating to fatal. Sodium in the body is so important that a deficiency of it may impact systems as primordial as the nervous system. Deficiency may result in diarrhea, vomiting, headaches, weakness, low blood pressure, lethargy, weight loss, confusion, dizziness, and muscular irritability.

Conversely, high Sodium levels can result in high blood pressure, swelling of the neuronal tissues, and may even cause cerebral edema. In fact, high levels of this mineral can result in severe illness and even coma if not corrected urgently.

Benefits of Sodium, Top 5

Sodium works alongside other minerals like potassium and chloride to regulate our fluid balance. Sodium is responsible for normal fluid volume outside or cells and helps our cells function properly.
Sodium is required by our body to maintain normal blood pressure.
Sodium, along with other minerals such as potassium and chloride (known as electrolytes), is crucial for the maintenance of our acid-base balance.
It is used by our body to help conduct nerve signals. Therefore, it is essential for healthy nervous system functioning to take place.
Normal muscle contraction and relaxation are also dependent upon normal sodium levels in our body.

Vegan Sources of Sodium, Top 9

Table salt.
Breads.
Pasta.
Salty snacks.
Rice.
Swiss chard.
Spinach.
Olives.
Artichoke.

Special Considerations

While Sodium is an important mineral with crucial functions, too much has long been known to be a risk for developing high blood pressure which can further lead to heart disease, heart attacks, and/or strokes.

Many people with health conditions such as the ones named above, or a history of congestive heart failure or kidney disease will need to check with their doctor because they will likely need to be put on a low sodium diet. A diet low in fruits and vegetables and high in processed foods generally provides high sodium and low potassium. This puts us at a tremendous risk for the illnesses described above. The key switch to a plant-based diet will provide the body with healthy high levels of potassium and low levels of sodium, contributing to healthy blood pressure and reduced risk of heart disease.