Estimates of sodium and potassium intake.

Attempts have been made to estimate both the discretionary (consumer-controlled) and nondiscretionary (commercially controlled or naturally occurring) daily intakes of NaC1. These studies suggest that the average American has a total (discretionary plus nondiscretionary) daily intake of NaC1 ranging from 10 to 14.5 g, with about one third occurring naturally in food, one third added during food processing, and one third added by the consumer. Males consume more NaC1 than females and intakes of both sexes decline with age. Sodium chloride ingested with grain and cereal products and meat comprise about 50% of the daily nondiscretionary NaC1 intake. Additional amounts of sodium are ingested daily in drinking water and with drugs, but their contribution is difficult to determine. Total daily nondiscretionary intake of potassium is less well studied and is estimated to be in the range of 4 to 11 g/person.