According to recent reports from the CDC and the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute, people in America are eating too much salt, beyond healthy levels. Salt (Sodium Chloride) is the chief source of sodium in food, which has a recommended daily intake of 2400mg (1 teaspoon) or 1500mg for persons with hypertension, African-Americans and the elderly. But people these days are eating a lot more, approximately 3450mg according to the report.
This high salt consumption and resultant high sodium intake is due to the modern diet, which contains a lot of processed and canned foods that possess high salt content. Fast food such as burgers and sausage, snacks like chips and preserved and canned foods, all have relatively high salt content.
The excess of sodium intake from salt causes higher blood pressure (Hypertension), which in turn contributes to higher likelihood of stroke, and kidney and heart disease. Health authorities recommend the usage of salt-substitutes (After consulting with a physician) and a diet rich in potassium, such as fruits and vegetables to counterbalance the high sodium intake via salt. Also recommended is the usage of fresh vegetables, fish, meat and chicken instead of canned and processed versions.