Sodium
Sodium is an essential mineral and electrolyte that the body needs for fluid balance and nerve signals. Most dietary sodium comes from table salt.
For blood pressure, less excess is the useful direction
WHO identifies excess sodium as a cause of raised blood pressure and supports reducing intake to prevent cardiovascular disease. This evidence concerns reducing a high intake, not taking sodium as a blood-pressure supplement. 1
Reducing excess sodium supports lower blood pressure; additional sodium is not the beneficial intervention. 1
Exercise in heat is a different setting
A controlled study found that sodium before exercise increased voluntary drinking and fluid retention, reduced dehydration and improved a cycling time trial in a 30°C environment. The protocol combined a hydration period with prolonged exercise in heat. It does not establish a daily supplement need for people outside that setting. 2
A specific exercise-in-heat protocol showed benefit; it does not define a universal replacement dose. 2
Effects by health goal
Open an effect to see the studies behind its rating. Bars show the size of the effect; the letter grades the evidence.
Fitness2 effects
No study is linked to this rating.
Adverse findings
Ratings where the reported effect was unfavourable.
No study is linked to this rating.
No study is linked to this rating.
All studies
3 publications are linked to Sodium, newest first.