Consuming too much salt can be harmful to our health, increasing our risk of stomach cancer as well as high blood pressure. Our daily intake of salt should be less than 2,400 milligrams. We actually need much less than this. Most people in the United States currently consume more than 2,400 mg, but there are simple ways to cut down on our intake.
Most of the salt in our diets comes from processed foods. We are not always aware that these foods are high in salt because they may not taste “salty,” so make sure to read the sodium content on the Nutrition Facts label. Watch out for breakfast cereals, bread, frozen meals, pizza and chips. Also, check the amount of sodium in canned products, such as soups and sauces, and avoid processed meats. Even sweet foods like cookies can contain high levels of salt. – American Institute for Cancer Research (http://www.aicr.org/)