Canadian Salt Intake | CTV News

SODIUM: Your intake by the numbers

By Jordan Chittley



Experts are slamming a pair of new studies that suggest there may be a danger to not consuming enough sodium.

A leading cardiovascular researcher at the University of Calgary says frail science and salt-industry influence are behind the studies. Dr. Norm Campbell told CTV News studies like this delay public-health efforts and endanger millions of lives around the world. Other experts have also come out against the pro-salt studies.

Around the world, people on average consumer 3,950 milligrams of sodium per day. The World Health Organization recommends people consume less than 2,000 milligrams.

We here in Canada consumer on average more than 3,000 milligrams daily. The governments have set a goal to reduce that to 2,300 by 2016 while the recommended amount for most people more than a year old is 1,000 – 1,500.


Here is how the numbers look in Canada:

Mouse over the different parts of the charts and map for more information and to see the exact numbers.

How much sodium an average person in each province consumes

Source: 2004 Canadian Community Health Survey – Nutrition

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Canadian Salt Intake | CTV News