Partial Reprint- "Sodium and Your Health"
sodium content of some foods | sodium content
of softened water
The softening process exchanges calcium and magnesium ions for soft ions
of sodium, producing water that is soft and thus more efficient for use throughout the home. The amount of sodium
produced by the water softening process does not present any adverse health effects for the average healthy consumer.
Individuals who are on medically supervised sodium-restricted diets can either have the softener installed to bypass
the cold water to the kitchen sink or can have sodium removed from water used for cooking and drinking through
the use of special equipment.
SODIUM IN NATURE
The sodium ion, being the sixth most abundant metallic ion in the
earth's crust, Is a natural constituent of both food and water.
In nature we find sodium in water from several sources. These are:
- Underground sodium salt deposits which aredissolved by water
- Sea water
- Natural ion exchange in soils where calcium ions in the water are replaced
with sodium ions.
Sodium occurs naturally in foods because plants take up sodium from the soil water, and animals ingest plants and
water containing sodium.
SODIUM ADDED BY MAN
...TO WATER
Man adds sodium to food and water in various ways. Sodium Is added to
water during the following processes:
Water purification and bacterial control in water supplies are accomplished by adding sodium hypochlorite.
The lime-soda method of softening water in municipal water treatment plants requires the addition of compounds
such as sodium carbonate.
Home water softeners exchange calcium Ions for sodium ions by using cation exchange resins.
...TO FOOD
Man adds sodium to food for a variety of reasons. Sodium compounds are
added to improve the flavor of many foods. For example:
Sodium chloride (salt) and monosodium glutamate (MSG, Accent, etc.) are
used by commercial food processors in bacon, salted crackers, olives, soups, sauces, and almost all convenience
foods such as frozen dinners and packaged mixes. These two products are also added by the homemaker in home food
preparation.
Sodium compounds are also used to improve the texture of some foods.
Sodium bicarbonate in baking soda and baking powder makes baked goods rise.
Sodium alginate is used in chocolate milk and ice creams to Improve their
texture.
Sodium hydroxide is used to soften the skins of olive, certain fruits and grains.
Sodium compounds are used to preserve some foods. Sodium benzoate Is used in jellies, relishes, and salad dressings.
Sodium propionate is used to inhibit mold growth in cheeses and bread.
...TO MEDICATION
Sodium compounds are also used in many common medications such as:
Baking soda (home remedy for Indigestion), and sodium compounds are used in many alkalizers and antiacids as well
as many headache remedies, sedatives, and cathartics.
NORMAL SODIUM CONSUMPTION
It is estimated that the average person consumes the equivalent of
2 to 3 teaspoons of salt per day from all sources. This is about 8 to 15 grams. Some of this salt is in the food
naturally, but most of It is added in processing, preservation, cooking, and at the table. A salt(sodium chloride)
intake of 8 to 15 grams is equal to about 3 to 6 grams (3,000 to 6,000 milligrams) of sodium.
An example of this daily intake might be as follows:
FOOD
|
APPROXIMATE SODIUM CONTENT IN MILLIGRAMS
|
Breakfast
|
|
| 1/2 cup canned tomato juice |
270
|
|
| 1 egg (no salt added) |
60
|
|
| 2 slices bacon |
150
|
|
| 2 biscuits or toast |
300
|
|
| 2 teaspoons margarine |
100
|
|
Lunch
|
|
Luncheon meat, corned beef
or ham (3 oz.) |
900
|
|
| Processed cheddar cheese (1 oz.) |
420
|
|
| 2 slices white bread |
300
|
|
| 1 cup milk |
120
|
|
| 1 large olive |
130
|
|
| 1 dill pickle |
930
|
|
| 1 teaspoon mustard |
60
|
|
| Potato chips, about 10 |
200
|
|
Dinner
|
|
| Steak, 6 oz., no salt added |
80
|
|
| Green salad with 1 ounce French Dressing |
450
|
|
| Baked potato, salt added |
240
|
|
| Two pats margarine |
100
|
|
| Bread, 2 slices or equivalent |
300
|
|
| TOTAL SODIUM |
5,110
|
milligrams |
SODIUM IN SOFTENED WATER
Since sodium Is added to water softened by the cation exchange process
(mechanical water softening), the level of sodium in softened water may be of interest to persons on sodium restricted
diets.
Table 1 shows the amount of sodium added to softened water of varying original hardness. The harder the water originally,
the more sodium that is added.
Sodium Added to Water from Cation Exchange Softening
|
|
Initial Water Hardness
Grains per Gallon
|
Sodium added by Cation Exchange Softening of Water
Milligrams NA+/gallon
|
|
1
|
30
|
|
5
|
149
|
|
6
|
179
|
|
7
|
209
|
|
8
|
239
|
|
9
|
269
|
|
10
|
298
|
|
15
|
447
|
|
20
|
596
|
|
30
|
894
|
|
40
|
1191
|
|
