Final answer:
The two main sources of sodium in typical American diets are processed foods and table salt. Excessive consumption of sodium, largely due to these sources, is linked to health issues such as high blood pressure, making it important to monitor and manage sodium intake.
Step-by-step explanation:
The two main sources of sodium in typical American diets are processed foods and common table salt (sodium chloride or NaCl). Processed foods often have sodium added to improve flavor, texture, and to prevent spoilage. Considering that Americans consume an average of 3,436 milligrams of sodium per day, this is substantially higher than the recommended limit of 2,300 milligrams per day for healthy individuals. On the other hand, common table salt is the most significant source of sodium in the diet, with many Americans consuming 10 to 15 times more than the necessary amount to satisfy physiological requirements, contributing to the ubiquity of high blood pressure in modern societies. To manage intake and potentially improve health, individuals are advised to compare sodium levels in various foods, choose options with lower sodium, and reduce the use of salt shakers.