Aim for 2,300 milligrams of sodium or less per day. Sodium helps make our food delicious, but it has some serious downsides. The 2015 Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommend an upper limit for sodium consumption of 2,300 milligrams of sodium per day for adults. If you are African American, age 51 or older or have high blood pressure, diabetes or chronic disease -- about half the general population -- that recommendation is lowered to 1,500 milligrams per day. Average American consumption of sodium is close to 3,400 milligrams of sodium per day, potentially more than double the safe intake. Evidence shows that consuming too much sodium can raise blood pressure, which is a risk factor for stroke, and limiting your sodium intake can benefit your health.