A consideration of salt intake from foods based on the simultaneous measurement of sodium and chlorine by neutron activation analysis.

Ordinary hospital meals for adults were simultaneously measured for Na and Cl by neutron activation analysis (NAA). Results obtained are summarized as follows: 1. Daily Na intake was estimated to be 4 to 8 g, corresponding to 11 to 18 g of salt. Daily Cl intake was estimated to be 5 to 9 g, corresponding to 7 to 12 g of salt. Their ratio was 1.6. 2. The higher values of salt intake obtained by conversion from Na intake are attributable to food additives. 3. In rating Na content, which has been reported to affect blood pressure, on the basis of salt intake, attention must be given to the fact that salt content converted from Cl content is rated to be lower than that converted from Na content.