Chloride in the Diet

Chloride is a mineral. Chloride, along with sodium and potassium, are known as the electrolyte minerals. Electrolytes are in all body fluids and help regulate the balance of fluids in the body's cells. Chloride, along with sodium, is found concentrated in the fluid outside of cells.

Information

It is rare for someone to have a lack of chloride in the diet because salt is such a common part most people's diet, especially in the US. Chloride is found in foods that have natural sources of salt. Processed foods are also often high in salt. There is no Recommended Daily Allowance, called RDA, for chloride. Most healthy people can fulfill their chloride needs with a minimum of 750 mg per day. Excessive sweating, vomiting, or diarrhea can cause the body to lose chloride.