Sodium Content in Table Salt
One teaspoon of table salt contains approximately 2,300 mg of sodium. 1, 2
Composition of Table Salt
Table salt (sodium chloride) is composed of:
This means that for every gram of salt, there is 400 mg of sodium. Since a standard teaspoon of salt weighs approximately 5-6 grams, it contains about 2,300 mg of sodium.
Tablespoon vs. Teaspoon Measurements
It's important to distinguish between teaspoon and tablespoon measurements:
- 1 teaspoon of salt = approximately 2,300 mg of sodium 2
- 1 tablespoon of salt = approximately 6,900 mg of sodium (3 times the amount in a teaspoon) 2
Sodium in Salt and Daily Recommendations
Multiple health organizations and guidelines consistently recommend limiting sodium intake to around 2,000-2,400 mg per day, which is equivalent to approximately one teaspoon of salt:
- The American Heart Association recommends limiting sodium to ≤2,300 mg/day 2
- The Hong Kong Reference Framework explicitly states salt intake should be "less than 5g/day (around 1 teaspoon of table salt)" 2
- The Malaysian Society of Nephrology recommends restricting sodium intake to <2,400 mg/day (1 teaspoon of table salt) 1
Health Implications
Excessive sodium intake is associated with:
- Increased blood pressure
- Higher risk of cardiovascular disease
- Increased stroke risk
- Kidney disease 2
Sources of Dietary Sodium
- Only about 10% of sodium occurs naturally in food
- 5-10% comes from salt added during cooking or at the table
- The majority (75%) comes from processed and restaurant foods 1, 2
Caution
While one teaspoon of salt contains 2,300 mg of sodium, it's important to note that consuming this amount all at once could be harmful, especially for children. There have been documented fatalities from acute salt ingestion, with lethal doses estimated to be less than 25g of sodium (less than 4 tablespoons of salt) in some adults 3.