What does the sodium leak cost from age 30 to 65?
The Sodium Leak
1.5 grams excess, daily, age 30 to 65 — the long-term cost is 42 pounds.
How the number's built.
Processed foods and restaurant meals are seasoned for immediate appeal. The daily sodium load easily exceeds guidelines. Over 35 years, a daily 1.5-gram excess compounds to 42 pounds of pure sodium processed by the vascular system, silently driving cardiovascular risk.
Preparing meals at home, not ordering.
21 pounds of excess sodium avoided.
No rush. It keeps until you want it.
preparing meals at home instead of ordering takeout
saves 0.75 grams / day excess = 273.75 grams / year
× 35 years = 9,581.25 grams
÷ 453.592 = 21 pounds avoided
1.5 grams / day excess
365 days / year = 547.5 grams / year
× 35 years = 19,162.5 grams
÷ 453.592 grams/pound = 42 pounds
The long-term health cost of excess sodium
Last reviewed: May 2026.
An estimate built for reflection — not financial, medical, or legal advice. The figures follow the assumptions above.