Sodium-Packed Medications Raise Stroke, Heart, and Death Risks
Millions of patients worldwide taking effervescent, powdered, or soluble medicines have an increased risk of heart attacks and strokes because of the high sodium content of such drugs, according to new research published in the journalBMJ. Researchers found that people who take those medications are 22% more likely to suffer a nonfatal stroke and 28% more likely to die of any cause than people taking versions of the same medications that did not include sodium. Among the drugs tested were effervescent or soluble versions of acetaminophen and aspirin as well as calcium and zinc supplements. – Los Angeles Times
Changing the Texture of Bread May Allow for Less Salt
Simply making the pores, or holes, in bread larger can make people perceive it as having a saltier taste, according to new research published in theJournal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry. The researchers baked bread using different proofing times—the period that a baker lets the dough rise. Longer proofing times led to softer breads with larger pores. The study subjects rated the fluffier bread, which had the longest proofing time, as tasting noticeably saltier, even though it contained less salt. – UPI
Customers Use Nutritional Labeling on Printed Menus to Make Healthier Food Choices A new field-based study published in theAmerican Journal of Preventive Medicinedemonstrates that full-service restaurant customers use nutritional labeling on menus to make healthier food choices. Customers at restaurants with menu labels purchased food with an average of 224 fewer milligrams of sodium than did customers at restaurants without menu labels. The Philadelphia Department of Public Health, which was involved in the study, recently instituted a new law that requires full-service chain restaurants with more than 15 locations nationwide to list values for a number of nutritional categories, including sodium, for each item on all printed menus. – Drexel NOW
Super Spicy Snacks Send Kids to Emergency Room
Pediatricians are warning parents of the dangers of extremely spicy snacks, such as Flamin’ Hot Cheetos and other chips, explaining that these foods are sending numerous children to the emergency room each year. Doctors say that overindulging in certain foods and drinks, including spicy processed snacks, can change the stomach’s pH balance, making it more acidic. Some schools have already banned spicy chips and other snacks due to their high sodium and fat levels. – ABC News
Shake Your Sodium Habit
This article covers the basics of dietary sodium and the biological effects of consuming too much sodium, identifies where most of the sodium in the American diets comes from, and provides some tips on how to consume less sodium. – Fox News