Salt and added sugar: what the daily limits are

Salt and sodium limits

Sodium is measured in milligrams (mg). The CDC (US) says the Nutrition Facts Label shows how many milligrams of sodium are in one serving. [3]

The CDC (US) gives a daily limit for sodium of 2,300 mg for people aged 14 and older. Another CDC page gives the same limit, less than 2,300 mg a day, for teens and adults. [1] [3]

WHO (international) advises a lower amount for adults. It recommends less than 2,000 mg of sodium a day for adults. WHO says this equals less than 5 grams of salt, or just under a teaspoon. [2] [4]

Why sodium limits matter

The CDC (US) says the average American eats more than 3,300 mg of sodium daily. The CDC also says that eating too much sodium can raise your blood pressure. It can raise your risk of heart disease and stroke too. [1]

WHO (international) reports that adults around the world took in 4,278 mg of sodium a day on average in 2021. It says the main health effect of a diet high in sodium is raised blood pressure. [2]

Added sugar limits

The CDC (US) says Americans 2 years and older should keep added sugars under 10% of their total daily calories. On a 2,000-calorie diet, that means no more than 200 calories from added sugars. The CDC puts this at about 12 teaspoons. [5]

WHO (international) sets a similar limit, but for what it calls free sugars. It says free sugars should stay under 10% of total daily energy. WHO says limiting them to 5% or less may give added health benefits. [4]

WHO gives a gram amount for a person of healthy body weight who eats about 2,000 calories a day. For that person, it says the 10% limit equals 50 grams, or about 12 level teaspoons. The CDC (US) says the Nutrition Facts Label shows what share of calories comes from added sugars. [3] [4]