The AI was arbitrarily set by the DRI committee at 1,500 mg sodium or a little more
than one half teaspoon (3 grams) of salt per day for
young adults ``... to ensure that the overall diet provides an adequate intake of other important nutrients and to cover sodium sweat losses in unacclimatized individuals who are exposed to high
temperatures or who become physically active...» However, no supporting information on
young adults was provided to confirm that this arbitrary figure was in any way justified.