Taking dietary supplements is a great way to give your body many of the nutrients it needs without adding empty calories to your diet. What does the body need? Vitamins, minerals and omega-3 fatty acids all help reduce inflammation and regulate cell growth. The body also needs sodium, but only in moderate amounts.

However, moderation is not what many children and adults are getting when it comes to salt intake, according to a study appearing in the European Journal of Clinical Nutrition. Researchers from the University of Bristol found that of every five 8-month-olds in the UK, four are getting too much sodium in their diet.

The team blamed much of this overconsumption on processed foods like canned beans, spaghetti, gravy and yeasty foods. Researchers said that too much salt can damage infants’ kidneys, putting them at risk for health complications later in life.

Adults also tend to have high sodium intakes. In the U.S., many adults consume far beyond the 2,300 milligrams of sodium recommend by the Institute of Medicine as the safe uper limit of daily salt intake.

The average American over the age of 1 consumes 3,436 milligrams of sodium per day, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.