In 1993, the European Scientific Committee for Food established an acceptable sodium intake range for adults: 25–150 millimoles (mmol) per day, which is equivalent to 575–3,450 milligrams (mg)* (55).

 

* 1 mmol is equivalent to 23 mg sodium and approximates 58 mg sodium chloride.

 

The U.S. Food and Nutrition Board has established an adequate intake level (AI) for sodium and sodium chloride (salt) in grams (g) per day based on the amount needed to replace losses through sweat in moderately active people and to achieve a diet that provides sufficient amounts of other essential nutrients (5):

 

Life Stage	Age	Males and Females Sodium (g/day)	Males and Females Salt (g/day)
Infants	0–6 months	0.12	0.30
Infants	7–12 months	0.37	0.93
Children	1–3 years	1	2.5
Children	4–8 years	1.2	3.0
Children	9–13 years	1.5	3.8
Adolescents	14–18 years	1.5	3.8
Adults	19-50 years	1.5	3.8
Adults	51-70 years	1.3	3.3
Adults	70 years and older	1.3	3.0
Pregnancy	14-50 years	1.5	3.8
Breast-feeding	14-50 years	1.5	3.8

For a detailed overview of recommended daily intakes (PRIs/RDAs) of vitamins and minerals for adults derived from different countries and organizations see PDF.