Table 10.

Rationale for the group consensus uncertainty probability distribution on the lowest level of sodium intake which to maintain sodium balance for most of the general population

Sodium intake range (g/day)	Probabilitya	Rationale
0.5–1.0	5%	There is a minimum requirement for sodium, which is unknown. Data in Yanomamo Indians indicate that they can sustain a lifelong sodium intake in the order of a few mmol/day (INTERSALT Cooperative Research Group, 1988); uncertainty associated with the generalisability of these observations to the EU population
1.0–1.5	32.5%	Evidence from the Allsopp study indicates 1.5 g/day (Allsopp, 1997, 1998); good quality study (exposure) but uncertainty due to single study, short duration, small number of subjects Reductions in sodium intake resulting in excretions of 100 to 50 mmol/day (2.3 to 1.2 g/day) and lower has been associated with a sharp increase in plasma renin activity and aldosterone concentration in urine Distribution of probability in range 1.0–2.5 g/day reflects: Allsopp indicates 1.5 g/day but uncertainty about the distribution in the population Body constantly adapts to maintain homeostasis in response to environmental conditions; there is a lack of data on the health effects of a sustained activation of the sympathetic nervous system and the RAAS in the general population Probability distribution shifted towards range 1.5–2.5 g/day to cover most of the population and considering the lack of data from balance studies below 1.5 g/day
1.5–2.0	37.5%
2.0–2.5	20%
2.5–3.5	5%	Uncertainty on the distribution in the population: some people may achieve null balance in this range (some indication from Holbrook et al. (1984))

INTERSALT: International Cooperative Study on Salt, Other Factors and Blood Pressure; RAAS: renin–angiotensin–aldosterone system.

^aConsensus judgement of the expert group about the probability that the corresponding range of sodium intake includes the ‘true’ level of interest.