The Institute of Medicine, through its Food and Nutrition Board (FNB), as part of the continuing activity to develop Dietary Reference Intakes (DRIs) for nutrients, undertook an 18-month study to develop DRIs for electrolytes and water. This included a review of sodium, potassium, chloride, sulfate, and water. The study:

• reviewed the scientific literature about these electrolytes and water and other components of foods that may influence risk of cardiovascular disease, asthma, osteoporosis, hypertension, gastric cancer, and renal stones.
• developed DRIs for these substances where there are sufficient data available to do so, including consideration of levels of intake that are compatible with good nutrition throughout the lifespan and that may decrease risk of developmental abnormalities and chronic disease.
• addressed the safety of high intakes of these substances, and, when appropriate, determine Tolerable Upper Intake Levels (ULs) in specific population subgroups, and provided guidance on the use of these recommendations and reference intakes for individuals in addressing questions of applicability to assessing intakes of populations and in formulation of appropriate dietary standards, including research needed on which to base such policy decisions.