Sodium is an indispensable mineral that plays a critical role in maintaining vital bodily functions, including fluid balance, nerve impulse transmission, muscle contraction, and cellular homeostasis. While essential for health, the vast majority of the global population, including India, consumes significantly more sodium than recommended. For instance, the World Health Organization (WHO) advises adults to consume less than 2,000 milligrams of sodium (equivalent to less than 5 grams of salt) per day. The American Heart Association (AHA) suggests an optimal limit of 1,500 mg per day for most adults. Excessive sodium intake is a primary contributor to high blood pressure, also known as hypertension, which is a leading risk factor for severe cardiovascular diseases such as heart attacks, stroke, and heart failure, as well as kidney disease, osteoporosis, and gastric cancer. Studies by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) indicate that the average Indian consumes approximately 11 grams of salt daily, more than double the WHO recommendation, highlighting a 'silent epidemic' in the country. Over 70% of this sodium typically comes from packaged, processed, and restaurant foods, rather than salt added during cooking or at the table. Conversely, though far less common in the general population, extremely low levels of sodium in the blood, a condition known as hyponatremia, can also pose serious health threats. Symptoms can range from muscle cramps, nausea, headaches, and confusion to seizures, severe brain swelling, coma, and even death in acute cases. However, healthy kidneys are efficient at regulating sodium levels, making true dietary deficiency rare for most individuals. The Florida Department of Health, like other health organizations, emphasizes the importance of understanding sodium's role and managing intake to prevent these health complications. Strategies to reduce sodium include reading nutrition labels, limiting processed foods, cooking at home with less added salt, and using herbs and spices for flavoring.