I’ve been cooking all day and am tired. Statement retracted.
I won’t step up to the sodium podium, but only because the OP says so. I was going to say the number one ingredient was pizza but wait, I want to change my vote.
The no. 1 best ingredient is refined sugar.
Bacon.
Salt - and it isn’t even close.
Without salt food tastes bland. Salt is a preservative. Your body needs salt. Salt created empires and fortunes.
Salt. With fat in hot pursuit.
What was Ghandi’s beef with the British? He wanted to make salt without being taxed.