The government is now recommending that people get 1,500 milligrams of sodium a day, down from the current recommendation of 2,400 milligrams, which is about the amount in a heaping teaspoon of salt. Most Americans already eat far more salt than is recommended from all the processed and fast foods, so this decrease would mean a substantial reduction. Most people are far from following a low-salt diet, but in reality, most people are harmed by true low-salt diets. While reducing salt in the diet may indeed be beneficial for some, others suggest taking the low-sodium recommendations with a grain of salt.
Yahoo! News February 11, 2004