Sodium & Chloride - Everything About Needs, Sources And Deficiencies

Sodium and chloride

The mineral sodium occurs in all cells and body fluids. It is closely related to chloride - together they form table salt (NaCl). Sodium and chloride are essential for life and, together with potassium, play an important role in the body's electrolyte and water balance. Sodium and chloride are necessary for the maintenance of various cell and body functions, such as the regulation of fluid volume, blood pressure and the acid-base balance.

Sodium also plays a role in the transmission of stimuli in the nervous system and activates many enzymes. Chloride is also important for the formation of hydrochloric acid in the parietal cells of the stomach. Thus, chloride plays a role not only in digestion, but also in the defense against pathogens. Overall, the intake of sodium and chloride is above the recommended intake levels: The reason is the high consumption of salt through food.

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Where are sodium and chloride found?
How much sodium and chloride do we need?
Too much / too little sodium

Where are sodium and chloride found?

Sodium occurs in almost all foods - naturally and in the form of table salt (table salt, NaCl = sodium chloride). Chloride occurs predominantly together with sodium. The main source of sodium and chloride is table salt; approx. 90% of the sodium and chloride supply take place via NaCl. Processed foods, in particular, are rich in NaCl. These include processed fish products, meat and sausage products, bread and (nibble) pastries, cheese, ready meals, soups, sauces or snacks. Too much salt is linked to the development of high blood pressure and thus indirectly also to cardiovascular diseases.

How much sodium and chloride do we need?

Sodium: the exact need is unknown. The estimated value for an adequate intake for adults (25 to <51 years) per day according to the DA-CH reference values is 1,500 mg sodium. This value also applies to pregnant and breastfeeding women.
Chloride: The exact need is not known. The estimated value for an adequate intake for adults (25 to <51 years) per day according to the DA-CH reference values is 2,300 mg chloride. This value also applies to pregnant and breastfeeding women.

Note The intake of sodium and chloride is on average well above the recommended intake of the DA-CH reference values: therefore, care should be taken to consume more (low-salt) foods with low sodium and chloride content. These include fruit, vegetables, unprocessed nuts (unsalted) and generally unprocessed foods. The current recommendation for the maximum daily salt intake is between five and six grams (WHO or DA-CH reference values).

You can find out more about all age groups or groups of people as well as gender in the DA-CH reference values for sodium and chloride. For more information, see Covering Your Daily Mineral Requirement.

Too much / too little sodium

An excess of sodium with the consequence of an increased amount in the blood (hypernatremia) about the diet is hardly possible, because the body is always self-regulated to maintain a balance. However, a high intake of salt (NaCl) is linked to high blood pressure. Since many foods contain salt in a hidden form, a lot of salt is already unconsciously consumed.

Hypernatremia can develop with insufficient water intake or loss of low sodium fluids. In addition, certain diseases (e.g. heart or liver failure) can promote the development of hypernatremia. Older people and patients with poorly controlled diabetes mellitus are particularly at increased risk. Symptoms of hypernatremia include thirst, confusion, over-excitability, convulsions, or coma.
A sodium deficiency is very rare. Because: If too little sodium is absorbed through food, hormonal mechanisms in the body compensate for it by reducing the amount excreted in the urine. However, a deficiency can arise when there is a large loss of fluid, for example as a result of excessive vomiting, diarrhea, profuse sweating, extreme physical strain or the use of certain medications (e.g. diuretics). High sodium losses are usually associated with high chloride losses. Signs of a sodium deficiency include muscle cramps or low blood pressure. Severe sodium deficiency requires intensive medical treatment. Symptoms of a chloride deficiency include low blood pressure and tachycardia (accelerated heartbeat).

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