Chloride
University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa Food Science and Human Nutrition Program and Human Nutrition Program
Chloride is the primary anion in . In addition to passively following sodium, chloride has its own protein channels that reside in cell membranes. These protein channels are especially abundant in the gastrointestinal tract, pancreas, and lungs.
Chloride’s Role in Fluid Balance
Chloride aids in fluid balance mainly because it follows sodium in order to maintain charge neutrality. Chloride channels also play a role in regulating fluid secretion, such as into the small intestine and the flow of into . Fluid secretion and mucus are important for many of life’s processes. Their importance is exemplified in the signs and symptoms of the genetic disease, cystic fibrosis.
Cystic Fibrosis
Cystic fibrosis (CF) is one of the most prevalent inherited diseases in people of European descent. It is caused by a mutation in a protein that transports chloride ions out of the cell. CF’s signs and symptoms include salty skin, poor digestion and absorption (leading to poor growth), sticky mucus accumulation in the lungs (causing increased susceptibility to respiratory infections), liver damage, and infertility.
Other Functions of Chloride
Chloride has several other functions in the body, most importantly in acid-base balance. Blood pH is maintained in a narrow range and the number of positively charged substances is equal to the number of negatively charged substances. Proteins, such as albumin, as well as ions and chloride ions, are negatively charged and aid in maintaining blood pH. Hydrochloric acid (a gastric acid composed of chlorine and hydrogen) aids in digestion and also prevents the growth of unwanted in the stomach. Immune-system cells require chloride, and red blood cells use chloride to remove carbon dioxide from the body.
Chloride Imbalances
Low dietary intake of chloride and more often diarrhea can cause low blood levels of chloride. Symptoms typically are similar to those of hyponatremia and include weakness, nausea, and headache. Excess chloride in the blood is rare with no characteristic signs or symptoms.
Needs and Dietary Sources of Chloride
Most chloride in the diet comes from salt. (Salt is 60 percent chloride.) A teaspoon of salt equals 5,600 milligrams, with each teaspoon of salt containing 3,400 milligrams of chloride and 2,200 milligrams of sodium. The chloride AI for adults, set by the IOM, is 2,300 milligrams. Therefore just ⅔ teaspoon of table salt per day is sufficient for chloride as well as sodium. The AIs for other age groups are listed in Table 3.7 “Adequate Intakes for Chloride”.
Table 3.7 Adequate Intakes for Chloride
| Age Group | mg/day |
| Infants (0–6 months) | 180 |
| Infants (6–12 months) | 570 |
| Children (1–3 years) | 1,500 |
| Children (4–8 years) | 1,900 |
| Children (9–13 years) | 2,300 |
| Adolescents (14–18 years) | 2,300 |
| Adults (19–50 years) | 2,300 |
| Adults (51–70 years) | 2,000 |
| Adults (> 70 years) | 1,800 |
Source: Dietary Reference Intakes: Water, Potassium, Sodium, Chloride, and Sulfate. Institute of Medicine. http://www.iom.edu/Reports/2004/Dietary-Reference-Intakes-Water-Potassium-Sodium-Chloride-and-Sulfate.aspx. Updated February 11, 2004. Accessed September 22, 2017.
Other Dietary Sources of Chloride
Chloride has dietary sources other than table salt, namely as another form of salt—potassium chloride. Dietary sources of chloride are: all foods containing sodium chloride, as well as tomatoes, lettuce, olives, celery, rye, whole-grain foods, and seafood. Although many salt substitutes are sodium-free, they may still contain chloride.
Bioavailability
refers to the amount of a particular nutrient in foods that is actually absorbed in the intestine and not eliminated in the urine or feces. Simply put, the bioavailability of chloride is the amount that is on hand to perform its biological functions. In the small intestine, the elements of sodium chloride split into sodium and chloride anions. Chloride follows the sodium ion into intestinal cells passively, making chloride absorption quite efficient. When chloride exists as a potassium salt, it is also well absorbed. Other mineral salts, such as magnesium chloride, are not absorbed as well, but bioavailability still remains high.
Learning Activities
Technology Note: The second edition of the Human Nutrition Open Educational Resource (OER) textbook features interactive learning activities. These activities are available in the web-based textbook and not available in the downloadable versions (EPUB, Digital PDF, Print_PDF, or Open Document).
Learning activities may be used across various mobile devices, however, for the best user experience it is strongly recommended that users complete these activities using a desktop or laptop computer and in Google Chrome.
Fluid outside the cell that includes the interstitial fluid between cells and the intravascular fluid in blood vessels.
Fluid secreted by the pancreas that contains bicarbonate to neutralize stomach acid and enzymes for the digestion of macromolecules.
The universal chemical solvent in which most of the processes of life occur.
A slippery substance secreted by cells in the GI lining that protects the cells from digestive juices.
Chemical ions released by the pancreas into the small intestines that neutralizes stomach acid.
Microorganisms which include bacteria, viruses, and fungi.
Negatively charged ions.
The amount of a dietary nutrient that is absorbed and utilized by the body.
Positively charged ions.