Sodium Remains Hidden Killer in Fast Foods
Though fast foods are becoming less salty, many items, such as pizza and hamburgers, still contain very high levels of salt, prompting calls for targets to achieve further reductions. Examining sodium levels between 2009 and 2012 on the menus of six large fast food chains—Pizza Hut, Hungry Jack’s, KFC, McDonald’s, Subway, and Domino’s Pizza—researchers from the University of Sydney and the George Institute for Global Health report in the Medical Journal of Australia that although the average sodium content of menu items decreased at a rate of between 2% to 3% per year, many products contained an adult’s entire recommended daily sodium intake in a single serving. The small reduction in sodium levels is encouraging but “could easily be undone by the trend towards larger portion sizes,” said lead author Elizabeth Dunford. – The Sydney Morning Herald
Is Salt a Villain?
Consuming too much or too little sodium could adversely impact people’s health; hence, moderation is the key, says Dr. Y. V. C. Reddy of Apollo Hospital in Chennai, India. More than 4 to 6 grams of salt per day (about 1500 to 2300 milligrams of sodium) is excessive for a normal individual, he added. Potassium salt can be used as a substitute in normal individuals, said Dr. Reddy. Eating potassium-rich items such as bananas, tomatoes, and low fat dairy products has a heart-healthy effect, because it helps the kidneys remove excess sodium from the body, said Dr. Priya Chockalingam, a cardiac wellness physician.– The Hindu
Time to Relax the Sodium Guidelines? Some Docs Say Not So Fast
When it comes to the optimal amount of sodium in people’s diets, there may be more leeway than previously thought, according to a new review of past studies published in the American Journal of Hypertension. Both low and high sodium intakes are associated with increased risk of death, the meta-analysis concludes. The study authors also argue that consuming anywhere from about 2,600 milligrams up to almost 5,000 milligrams of sodium per day is associated with more favorable health outcomes, compared with lower or higher consumption. This is far higher than the current recommended daily limit of 2,300 milligrams of sodium—as well as Americans’ average daily consumption of 3,400 milligrams. However, lead author Niels Graudal agrees with the overwhelming evidence that lowering sodium can help people with hypertension lower their blood pressure. Conversely, some public health experts say these findings are off base: “There is no credible evidence that a low sodium intake, in the recommended range, is harmful,” noted Dr. Lawrence Appel, Director of the Welch Center for Prevention, Epidemiology, and Clinical Research at Johns Hopkins. He points to a recent long-term study published in the journal Circulation that finds a direct relationship between sodium intake and cardiovascular disease. According to Appel, the bottom line is this: In order to improve heart health, we have to improve blood pressure control, and “lowering sodium intake is key to achieving this goal.” – NPR
This study was covered in several other outlets, including NBC’s TODAY, Women’s Health Magazine, HealthDay, FoodNavigator-USA.com, Medical News Today, Renal & Urology News, and Prevention.com.