Sodium is a naturally occurring mineral that the body needs to
function properly.
But too much sodium can cause problems, such as high blood
pressure (hypertension) or heart failure, or make problems worse.
Salt is the most familiar source of sodium. Sodium is often hidden in
foods that don't taste salty, such as cheddar cheese and processed foods.
Sodium is also a major ingredient of monosodium glutamate (MSG), disodium
phosphate, and baking soda.