the institute of medicine advisory stated (daily intake basis): "americans consume more than 3,400 milligrams of sodium – the amount in about 1.5 teaspoons of salt (8.7 g) – each day. the recommended maximum daily intake of sodium – the amount above which health problems appear – is 2,300 milligrams per day for adults, about 1 teaspoon of salt (5.9 g). the recommended adequate intake of sodium is 1,500 milligrams (3.9 g salt) per day, and people over 50 need even less."