Understanding the RDA Recommended Daily Allowance for Sodium

November 26, 2025 •

3 min read

While many people search for the RDA recommended daily allowance for sodium, nutrition experts clarify that an RDA has not been set due to insufficient scientific evidence to establish an Estimated Average Requirement. Instead, health authorities provide an Adequate Intake (AI) and a maximum Chronic Disease Risk Reduction (CDRR) intake to guide daily sodium consumption.

Quick Summary

This guide explains why there is no specific RDA for sodium and details the current AI and CDRR levels set by health organizations. It covers the difference between these metrics, the health implications of high sodium, and practical ways to reduce intake in your diet.

Key Points

No RDA Exists: There is no official RDA for sodium because a reliable Estimated Average Requirement (EAR) could not be determined due to varying individual needs.
AI for Adults is 1,500 mg: The Adequate Intake (AI) for adults aged 19-50 is 1,500 milligrams per day, set to ensure nutritional adequacy for most.
CDRR is 2,300 mg: The Chronic Disease Risk Reduction (CDRR) intake for adults is set at 2,300 milligrams per day to help lower the risk of chronic diseases like hypertension.
Average Intake is High: Most Americans consume far more sodium than recommended, averaging around 3,400 mg daily.
Processed Foods are the Main Source: Over 70% of dietary sodium comes from packaged, prepared, and restaurant foods, not just the salt shaker.
High Sodium Affects Blood Pressure: Excess sodium intake can lead to water retention, increasing blood volume and raising blood pressure.
Managing Intake Is Key: Strategies like reading food labels, cooking at home, and choosing fresh foods are effective for reducing sodium consumption.

What Is a Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA)?

The Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) represents the average daily intake level of a nutrient sufficient for nearly all healthy individuals in a specific demographic. An RDA can only be determined if there's enough scientific data to establish an Estimated Average Requirement (EAR), which is the intake level meeting the needs of half the healthy population in a group. For sodium, a lack of definitive data on individual needs prevented the establishment of a universal EAR.

Why Was an RDA for Sodium Never Established?

The body's requirement for sodium varies greatly based on factors like activity level, climate, and sweat loss, making it challenging to set a single average requirement for everyone. Consequently, health organizations opted for alternative Dietary Reference Intakes (DRIs) instead of an RDA to provide guidance on sodium consumption.

The Real Sodium Recommendations: AI and CDRR

Instead of an RDA, current dietary guidance for sodium uses the Adequate Intake (AI) and the Chronic Disease Risk Reduction (CDRR) intake.

Adequate Intake (AI)

The AI is based on observed or experimentally determined approximations of nutrient intake by healthy individuals. For sodium, the AI ensures enough intake for basic physiological functions and replacing sweat losses, particularly for those unacclimated to high temperatures.

Adults (19-50 years): 1,500 mg per day
Adults (51-70 years): 1,300 mg per day
Adults (71+ years): 1,200 mg per day

Chronic Disease Risk Reduction (CDRR)

The CDRR is a newer reference value designed to promote reduced intake to lower chronic disease risk. This was set for sodium due to strong evidence linking high intake to increased blood pressure and cardiovascular disease risk.

Adults (14+ years): 2,300 mg per day. This serves as the maximum recommended daily amount and the basis for the Daily Value on nutrition labels.

The Dangers of Excessive Sodium Intake

Exceeding sodium recommendations poses health risks, primarily by raising blood pressure. High sodium intake causes the body to retain water, increasing blood volume and putting more strain on blood vessels, leading to hypertension.

Hypertension significantly increases the risk of:

Cardiovascular diseases
Stroke
Heart attack
Kidney disease

High-Sodium Offenders

Many sources of dietary sodium come from processed and prepared foods rather than table salt. Over 70% of sodium consumed by Americans originates from packaged, prepared, and restaurant meals.

Processed Meats: Deli meats, bacon, sausage, and ham are often high in sodium.
Packaged and Canned Foods: Canned soups, vegetables, and beans frequently have high levels of added salt.
Restaurant Meals: These are a significant source of dietary sodium.
Condiments and Sauces: Soy sauce, dressings, and ketchup can contain considerable sodium.
Snack Foods: Chips, pretzels, and salted nuts are obvious high-sodium items.

Comparing Sodium Recommendations

This table highlights the key differences between the AI and CDRR for sodium:


Feature	Adequate Intake (AI)	Chronic Disease Risk Reduction (CDRR)
Purpose	Ensure adequate intake for bodily functions.	Reduce risk of chronic diseases like hypertension.
For Adults (19-50)	1,500 mg/day	Below 2,300 mg/day
Basis	Estimates from healthy individuals.	Evidence linking sodium to chronic disease risk.
Guideline Type	Recommended minimum intake goal.	Maximum intake level to not exceed.
Health Context	Prevents deficiency (rare).	Prevents excess (common health concern).

How to Manage Your Sodium Intake

Managing sodium intake is crucial for cardiovascular health. Consider these steps:

Check Labels: Use the Nutrition Facts label to find sodium content and % Daily Value. Look for low-sodium options and check ingredient lists for hidden sources.
Choose Fresh Foods: Fresh options have less sodium than processed alternatives.
Cook at Home: Control salt content by preparing your own meals and using herbs and spices for flavor.
Rinse Canned Items: Rinsing canned foods can remove some sodium.
Be Mindful When Dining Out: Request less salt and ask for sauces on the side.
Increase Potassium: Eating potassium-rich foods (fruits and vegetables) can help mitigate sodium's effects on blood pressure.

Conclusion

Though there's no specific RDA recommended daily allowance for sodium, health authorities offer clear guidelines. Adults should aim for no more than 2,300 mg daily, with an optimal target of 1,500 mg for better heart health. Understanding AI and CDRR and reducing processed food intake are key to improving heart and kidney health. Find more information on the Dietary Guidelines for Americans.

Frequently Asked Questions

There is no official RDA for sodium because an Estimated Average Requirement (EAR) could not be confidently established due to wide variations in individual sodium needs, which are affected by factors like activity levels and climate.

The Adequate Intake (AI) is the recommended minimum intake (e.g., 1,500 mg for most adults) to maintain nutritional adequacy. The Chronic Disease Risk Reduction (CDRR) is a maximum daily level (2,300 mg for adults) intended to reduce the risk of chronic diseases like hypertension.

The Daily Value for sodium is based on the 2,300 mg CDRR for adults. A product with a % Daily Value of 5% or less is considered low in sodium, while 20% or more is considered high.

For most healthy adults, the 2,300 mg CDRR is the maximum daily limit. However, many health organizations recommend an optimal goal of no more than 1,500 mg per day for most adults to promote better heart health.

Processed foods are the biggest source of sodium, including cured meats, canned soups, frozen dinners, and packaged snacks. Restaurant meals also tend to be very high in sodium.

It is highly unlikely for most people to consume too little sodium, as the body needs only a small amount. The kidneys are very efficient at conserving sodium when intake is low. Low-sodium guidelines generally don't apply to competitive athletes or workers with excessive sweat loss.

You can use herbs, spices, citrus, and vinegars to season your food instead of relying on salt. Cooking at home allows you to control the ingredients, and your taste buds will adapt to less salt over time.