Your body needs sodium to regulate blood pressure and blood volume. Sodium mainly comes from table salt and can be found in milk, beets and celery. Processed foods and canned soups may contain added sodium. Manufacturers also use various forms of sodium for food additives, such as condiments and seasonings, or to preserve foods. A synthetic form of sodium, called sodium benzoate, may cause hyperactivity, but research continues on these possible effects.
SODIUM PRESERVATIVE
Sodium benzoate, a sodium salt compound, comes from benzoic acid, a synthetic substance used as a preservative for food and cosmetics. Sodium benzoate in foods may increase hyperactivity and decrease attention spans in children, according to British researchers at the University of Southampton. The research, however, included the effects of food coloring and preservatives in children. Researchers could not determine which additive actually caused the changes in hyperactivity and shortened attention spans. The researchers also noted that removing the preservative from food could increase spoilage.
SODIUM EFFECTS
Some confusion about sodium and hyperactivity may arise because of research on sodium benzoate and the concern about sodium’s effects on hypertension, or high blood pressure. Hypertension is not associated with hyperactivity. People with high blood pressure have no symptoms. Hypertension has been called the “silent killer” because it can go a long time without being detected. Only blood pressure readings from a doctor or health care professional can reveal blood pressure levels. High blood pressure can damage blood vessels over time and contribute to diabetic problems and heart disorders, such as heart disease and heart attacks. Impaired vision, kidney failure, heart failure and strokes may also occur.
SALT INTAKE
Too much sodium may cause high blood pressure, MedlinePlus notes. Patients with high blood pressure need to watch their sodium intake. When you find out you have high blood pressure, your doctor will usually recommend a low-sodium diet. Excess sodium intake may also lead to a dangerous build-up of fluid in people with congestive heart failure, kidney disease and cirrhosis. Patients need to discuss dietary recommendations with their doctors to reduce salt intake.
DIETARY RECOMMENDATIONS
Healthy adults should limit their sodium intake to about 2,300 milligrams a day, but recommendations range from 1,100 to 3,300 milligrams per day, according to the Colorado State University Extension website. A teaspoon of table salt, which contains about 40 percent sodium, has between 2,000 and 2,300 milligrams of sodium. Including more potassium and less sodium in the diet helps maintain a normal blood pressure for people with high blood pressure or borderline high blood pressure.
