Sources and intakes of sodium in the United Kingdom diet

The amounts of sodium in the average UK diet and the proportions of naturally occurring and added sodium in foods were calculated for the years 1984, 1985, 1986 and 1987. The results for total sodium intake from foods were in close agreement with other published sources and the breakdown of the figures revealed that 22 per cent of sodium in foods is naturally occurring and 78 per cent is added. When discretionary salt, used at the table and in cooking, is taken into account the proportions of sodium from various sources are estimated to be: 15 per cent discretionary, 84 per cent from food and approximately 1 per cent from water and medicines. Within the food category 18 per cent is natural, 59 per cent is from added salt and 7 per cent is from non-salt food additives.