Salt Taste, Nutrition, and Health

Salt Taste, Nutrition, and Health

Author: Albertino Bigiani

Publisher: MDPI

Published: 2021-01-20

Total Pages: 152

ISBN-13: 3039364650

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Salt (NaCl) is a key component of the human diet because it provides the sodium ion (Na+), an essential mineral for our body. Na+ regulates extracellular fluid volume and plays a key role in many physiological processes, such as the generation of nerve impulses. Na+ is lost continuously through the kidneys, intestine, and sweating. Thus, to maintain proper bodily balance, losses have to be balanced with foods containing this cation. The need for salt explains our ability to detect Na+ in foodstuffs: Na+ elicits a specific taste sensation called “salty”, and gustatory sensitivity to this cation is crucial for regulating its intake. Indeed, the widespread use of salt in food products for flavoring and to improve their palatability exploits our sense of taste for Na+. When consumed in excess, however, salt might be detrimental to health because it may determine an increase in blood pressure—a major risk factor for many cardiovascular diseases. Understanding how salt taste works and how it affects food preference and consumption is therefore of paramount importance for improving human nutrition. This book comprises cutting-edge research dealing with salt taste mechanisms relevant for nutrition and health.


Book Synopsis Salt Taste, Nutrition, and Health by : Albertino Bigiani

Download or read book Salt Taste, Nutrition, and Health written by Albertino Bigiani and published by MDPI. This book was released on 2021-01-20 with total page 152 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Salt (NaCl) is a key component of the human diet because it provides the sodium ion (Na+), an essential mineral for our body. Na+ regulates extracellular fluid volume and plays a key role in many physiological processes, such as the generation of nerve impulses. Na+ is lost continuously through the kidneys, intestine, and sweating. Thus, to maintain proper bodily balance, losses have to be balanced with foods containing this cation. The need for salt explains our ability to detect Na+ in foodstuffs: Na+ elicits a specific taste sensation called “salty”, and gustatory sensitivity to this cation is crucial for regulating its intake. Indeed, the widespread use of salt in food products for flavoring and to improve their palatability exploits our sense of taste for Na+. When consumed in excess, however, salt might be detrimental to health because it may determine an increase in blood pressure—a major risk factor for many cardiovascular diseases. Understanding how salt taste works and how it affects food preference and consumption is therefore of paramount importance for improving human nutrition. This book comprises cutting-edge research dealing with salt taste mechanisms relevant for nutrition and health.


Salt Taste, Nutrition, and Health

Salt Taste, Nutrition, and Health

Author: Albertino Bigiani

Publisher:

Published: 2020

Total Pages: 152

ISBN-13: 9783039364664

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Salt (NaCl) is a key component of the human diet because it provides the sodium ion (Na+), an essential mineral for our body. Na+ regulates extracellular fluid volume and plays a key role in many physiological processes, such as the generation of nerve impulses. Na+ is lost continuously through the kidneys, intestine, and sweating. Thus, to maintain proper bodily balance, losses have to be balanced with foods containing this cation. The need for salt explains our ability to detect Na+ in foodstuffs: Na+ elicits a specific taste sensation called “salty”, and gustatory sensitivity to this cation is crucial for regulating its intake. Indeed, the widespread use of salt in food products for flavoring and to improve their palatability exploits our sense of taste for Na+. When consumed in excess, however, salt might be detrimental to health because it may determine an increase in blood pressure--a major risk factor for many cardiovascular diseases. Understanding how salt taste works and how it affects food preference and consumption is therefore of paramount importance for improving human nutrition. This book comprises cutting-edge research dealing with salt taste mechanisms relevant for nutrition and health.


Book Synopsis Salt Taste, Nutrition, and Health by : Albertino Bigiani

Download or read book Salt Taste, Nutrition, and Health written by Albertino Bigiani and published by . This book was released on 2020 with total page 152 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Salt (NaCl) is a key component of the human diet because it provides the sodium ion (Na+), an essential mineral for our body. Na+ regulates extracellular fluid volume and plays a key role in many physiological processes, such as the generation of nerve impulses. Na+ is lost continuously through the kidneys, intestine, and sweating. Thus, to maintain proper bodily balance, losses have to be balanced with foods containing this cation. The need for salt explains our ability to detect Na+ in foodstuffs: Na+ elicits a specific taste sensation called “salty”, and gustatory sensitivity to this cation is crucial for regulating its intake. Indeed, the widespread use of salt in food products for flavoring and to improve their palatability exploits our sense of taste for Na+. When consumed in excess, however, salt might be detrimental to health because it may determine an increase in blood pressure--a major risk factor for many cardiovascular diseases. Understanding how salt taste works and how it affects food preference and consumption is therefore of paramount importance for improving human nutrition. This book comprises cutting-edge research dealing with salt taste mechanisms relevant for nutrition and health.


Reducing Salt in Foods

Reducing Salt in Foods

Author: David Kilcast

Publisher: Elsevier

Published: 2007-02-14

Total Pages: 400

ISBN-13: 1845693043

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Concerns have grown that consumption levels of salt are well above those needed for nutritional purposes and that this can lead to adverse effects on health, in particular cardiovascular disease. Consumers are increasingly looking to reduce their salt intake, making salt reduction a priority for food manufacturers. This is not straightforward, though, as salt plays an important role in food preservation, taste and processability. Written by a team of international experts, Reducing salt in foods provides a unique review of current knowledge in this field. This book is divided into three parts and discusses the major issues concerned with salt reduction and how it may be achieved. Part one reviews the key health issues driving efforts to reduce salt, government action regarding salt reduction and the implications of salt labelling. Consumer perception of salt and views on salt reduction and are also discussed. The second part focuses on the technological, microbiological and sensory functions of salt and strategies that can be taken to reduce salt. The final part of the book outlines strategies which have been taken to reduce salt in particular food groups: meat and poultry, seafood, bread, snack foods, dairy products and canned foods. Reducing salt in foods is an essential reference for health professionals, governments and food manufacturers. Discusses methods to reduce salt while maintaining food sensory quality, shelf-life and processability Provides a unique review of current knowledge in this field An essential reference for health professionals, governments and food manufacturers


Book Synopsis Reducing Salt in Foods by : David Kilcast

Download or read book Reducing Salt in Foods written by David Kilcast and published by Elsevier. This book was released on 2007-02-14 with total page 400 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Concerns have grown that consumption levels of salt are well above those needed for nutritional purposes and that this can lead to adverse effects on health, in particular cardiovascular disease. Consumers are increasingly looking to reduce their salt intake, making salt reduction a priority for food manufacturers. This is not straightforward, though, as salt plays an important role in food preservation, taste and processability. Written by a team of international experts, Reducing salt in foods provides a unique review of current knowledge in this field. This book is divided into three parts and discusses the major issues concerned with salt reduction and how it may be achieved. Part one reviews the key health issues driving efforts to reduce salt, government action regarding salt reduction and the implications of salt labelling. Consumer perception of salt and views on salt reduction and are also discussed. The second part focuses on the technological, microbiological and sensory functions of salt and strategies that can be taken to reduce salt. The final part of the book outlines strategies which have been taken to reduce salt in particular food groups: meat and poultry, seafood, bread, snack foods, dairy products and canned foods. Reducing salt in foods is an essential reference for health professionals, governments and food manufacturers. Discusses methods to reduce salt while maintaining food sensory quality, shelf-life and processability Provides a unique review of current knowledge in this field An essential reference for health professionals, governments and food manufacturers


Strategies to Reduce Sodium Intake in the United States

Strategies to Reduce Sodium Intake in the United States

Author: Institute of Medicine

Publisher: National Academies Press

Published: 2010-10-14

Total Pages: 507

ISBN-13: 0309155886

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Reducing the intake of sodium is an important public health goal for Americans. Since the 1970s, an array of public health interventions and national dietary guidelines has sought to reduce sodium intake. However, the U.S. population still consumes more sodium than is recommended, placing individuals at risk for diseases related to elevated blood pressure. Strategies to Reduce Sodium Intake in the United States evaluates and makes recommendations about strategies that could be implemented to reduce dietary sodium intake to levels recommended by the Dietary Guidelines for Americans. The book reviews past and ongoing efforts to reduce the sodium content of the food supply and to motivate consumers to change behavior. Based on past lessons learned, the book makes recommendations for future initiatives. It is an excellent resource for federal and state public health officials, the processed food and food service industries, health care professionals, consumer advocacy groups, and academic researchers.


Book Synopsis Strategies to Reduce Sodium Intake in the United States by : Institute of Medicine

Download or read book Strategies to Reduce Sodium Intake in the United States written by Institute of Medicine and published by National Academies Press. This book was released on 2010-10-14 with total page 507 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Reducing the intake of sodium is an important public health goal for Americans. Since the 1970s, an array of public health interventions and national dietary guidelines has sought to reduce sodium intake. However, the U.S. population still consumes more sodium than is recommended, placing individuals at risk for diseases related to elevated blood pressure. Strategies to Reduce Sodium Intake in the United States evaluates and makes recommendations about strategies that could be implemented to reduce dietary sodium intake to levels recommended by the Dietary Guidelines for Americans. The book reviews past and ongoing efforts to reduce the sodium content of the food supply and to motivate consumers to change behavior. Based on past lessons learned, the book makes recommendations for future initiatives. It is an excellent resource for federal and state public health officials, the processed food and food service industries, health care professionals, consumer advocacy groups, and academic researchers.


Salt Wars

Salt Wars

Author: Michael F. Jacobson

Publisher: MIT Press

Published: 2021-09-14

Total Pages: 297

ISBN-13: 026254282X

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"Written by Michael Jacobson, Ph.D., one of the most prominent advocates for sodium reduction since the 1970s, this book is a clarion call for radical change in America's relationship to salt"--


Book Synopsis Salt Wars by : Michael F. Jacobson

Download or read book Salt Wars written by Michael F. Jacobson and published by MIT Press. This book was released on 2021-09-14 with total page 297 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: "Written by Michael Jacobson, Ph.D., one of the most prominent advocates for sodium reduction since the 1970s, this book is a clarion call for radical change in America's relationship to salt"--


Reducing Salt in Foods

Reducing Salt in Foods

Author: Cindy Beeren

Publisher: Woodhead Publishing

Published: 2019-06-18

Total Pages: 298

ISBN-13: 008100933X

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Reducing Salt in Foods, Second Edition, presents updated strategies for reducing salt intake. The book contains comprehensive information on a wide range of topics, including the key health issues driving efforts to reduce salt, government action regarding salt reduction and the implications of salt labeling. Consumer perceptions of salt and views on salt reduction in different countries are also discussed, as are taste, processing and preservation functions of salt and salt reduction strategies. Final sections discuss salt reduction in particular food groups, including meat and poultry, seafood, bread, snack foods, dairy products and canned foods, each one including a case study. This updated edition also includes a new section on the future of salt reduction, the development of new ingredients to replace salt, salt reduction in catering, and how to teach new generations to adjust salt levels from an early age. Completely revised and updated with an overview of the latest developments in salt reduction Presents guidelines to help with reducing salt in specific product groups Presents a new section on the future of salt reduction, development of new ingredients to replace salt, salt reduction in catering and how to teach new generations to adjust salt levels from an early age Contains new chapters on preservation issues, taste issues and processing issues when reducing salt in food, along with case studies that illustrate salt reduction


Book Synopsis Reducing Salt in Foods by : Cindy Beeren

Download or read book Reducing Salt in Foods written by Cindy Beeren and published by Woodhead Publishing. This book was released on 2019-06-18 with total page 298 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Reducing Salt in Foods, Second Edition, presents updated strategies for reducing salt intake. The book contains comprehensive information on a wide range of topics, including the key health issues driving efforts to reduce salt, government action regarding salt reduction and the implications of salt labeling. Consumer perceptions of salt and views on salt reduction in different countries are also discussed, as are taste, processing and preservation functions of salt and salt reduction strategies. Final sections discuss salt reduction in particular food groups, including meat and poultry, seafood, bread, snack foods, dairy products and canned foods, each one including a case study. This updated edition also includes a new section on the future of salt reduction, the development of new ingredients to replace salt, salt reduction in catering, and how to teach new generations to adjust salt levels from an early age. Completely revised and updated with an overview of the latest developments in salt reduction Presents guidelines to help with reducing salt in specific product groups Presents a new section on the future of salt reduction, development of new ingredients to replace salt, salt reduction in catering and how to teach new generations to adjust salt levels from an early age Contains new chapters on preservation issues, taste issues and processing issues when reducing salt in food, along with case studies that illustrate salt reduction


Taste, Nutrition and Health

Taste, Nutrition and Health

Author: Beverly J. Tepper

Publisher: MDPI

Published: 2020-06-25

Total Pages: 350

ISBN-13: 3039284444

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The sensation of flavor reflects the complex integration of aroma, taste, texture, and chemesthetic (oral and nasal irritation cues) from a food or food component. Flavor is a major determinant of food palatability—the extent to which a food is accepted or rejected—and can profoundly influence diet selection, nutrition, and health. Despite recent progress, gaps in knowledge still remain regarding how taste and flavor cues are detected at the periphery, conveyed by the brainstem to higher cortical levels, and then interpreted as a conscious sensation. Taste signals are also projected to central feeding centers where they can regulate hunger and fullness. Individual differences in sensory perceptions are also well known and can arise from genetic variation, environmental causes, or a variety of metabolic diseases, such as obesity, metabolic syndrome, and cancer. Genetic taste/smell variation could predispose individuals to these same diseases. Recent findings have opened new avenues of inquiry, suggesting that fatty acids and carbohydrates may provide nutrient-specific signals informing the gut and brain of the nature of the ingested nutrients. This Special Issue, Taste, Nutrition, and Health, presents original research communications and comprehensive reviews on topics of broad interest to researchers and educators in sensory science, nutrition, physiology, public health, and health care.


Book Synopsis Taste, Nutrition and Health by : Beverly J. Tepper

Download or read book Taste, Nutrition and Health written by Beverly J. Tepper and published by MDPI. This book was released on 2020-06-25 with total page 350 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The sensation of flavor reflects the complex integration of aroma, taste, texture, and chemesthetic (oral and nasal irritation cues) from a food or food component. Flavor is a major determinant of food palatability—the extent to which a food is accepted or rejected—and can profoundly influence diet selection, nutrition, and health. Despite recent progress, gaps in knowledge still remain regarding how taste and flavor cues are detected at the periphery, conveyed by the brainstem to higher cortical levels, and then interpreted as a conscious sensation. Taste signals are also projected to central feeding centers where they can regulate hunger and fullness. Individual differences in sensory perceptions are also well known and can arise from genetic variation, environmental causes, or a variety of metabolic diseases, such as obesity, metabolic syndrome, and cancer. Genetic taste/smell variation could predispose individuals to these same diseases. Recent findings have opened new avenues of inquiry, suggesting that fatty acids and carbohydrates may provide nutrient-specific signals informing the gut and brain of the nature of the ingested nutrients. This Special Issue, Taste, Nutrition, and Health, presents original research communications and comprehensive reviews on topics of broad interest to researchers and educators in sensory science, nutrition, physiology, public health, and health care.


Get the Salt Out

Get the Salt Out

Author: Ann Louise Gittleman, Ph.D., C.N.S.

Publisher: Clarkson Potter

Published: 2010-04-28

Total Pages: 241

ISBN-13: 0307556344

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In this day and age, when fat is blamed for all our health problems, it's often easy to forget that salt can also be a dietary culprit. While salt is necessary for both bodily and cellular function, and is certainly crucial to the satisfying taste of some of our favorite foods, recent research shows that its excess consumption can also lead to hypertension, strokes, and a variety of cardiovascular problems. In Get the Salt Out, nationally recognized nutritionist Ann Louise Gittleman reveals 501 ways to avoid excess salt intake by serving a variety of delicious low-sodium foods, taking advantage of tasty salt substitutes and steering clear of many surprising hidden sources of salt. She provides more than fifty delicious recipes for low-sodium foods, which will add healthful new staples to the diet of anyone who wants to "get the salt out." Other features include: ¸ Advice on how to use herbs effectively to reduce sodium intake ¸ Tips for reading labels to expose salt where it is hidden in ingredient lists, as well as other points of supermarket salt savvy ¸ Ways to reduce the salt level in your water ¸ Advice for avoiding salt when you eat out ¸ Tips for dealing with stress and other impediments you may face in your efforts to get the salt out ¸ A week-long menu plan ¸ A resource section Get the Salt Out has all the tips, menu plans and recipes to help you enjoy real foods again and create meals that both your taste buds and your body can truly savor! From the Trade Paperback edition.


Book Synopsis Get the Salt Out by : Ann Louise Gittleman, Ph.D., C.N.S.

Download or read book Get the Salt Out written by Ann Louise Gittleman, Ph.D., C.N.S. and published by Clarkson Potter. This book was released on 2010-04-28 with total page 241 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: In this day and age, when fat is blamed for all our health problems, it's often easy to forget that salt can also be a dietary culprit. While salt is necessary for both bodily and cellular function, and is certainly crucial to the satisfying taste of some of our favorite foods, recent research shows that its excess consumption can also lead to hypertension, strokes, and a variety of cardiovascular problems. In Get the Salt Out, nationally recognized nutritionist Ann Louise Gittleman reveals 501 ways to avoid excess salt intake by serving a variety of delicious low-sodium foods, taking advantage of tasty salt substitutes and steering clear of many surprising hidden sources of salt. She provides more than fifty delicious recipes for low-sodium foods, which will add healthful new staples to the diet of anyone who wants to "get the salt out." Other features include: ¸ Advice on how to use herbs effectively to reduce sodium intake ¸ Tips for reading labels to expose salt where it is hidden in ingredient lists, as well as other points of supermarket salt savvy ¸ Ways to reduce the salt level in your water ¸ Advice for avoiding salt when you eat out ¸ Tips for dealing with stress and other impediments you may face in your efforts to get the salt out ¸ A week-long menu plan ¸ A resource section Get the Salt Out has all the tips, menu plans and recipes to help you enjoy real foods again and create meals that both your taste buds and your body can truly savor! From the Trade Paperback edition.


The Salt Fix

The Salt Fix

Author: Dr. James DiNicolantonio

Publisher: Harmony

Published: 2017-06-06

Total Pages: 274

ISBN-13: 0451496973

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What if everything you know about salt is wrong? A leading cardiovascular research scientist explains how this vital crystal got a negative reputation, and shows how to lower blood pressure and experience weight loss using salt. The Salt Fix is essential reading for everyone on the keto diet! We’ve all heard the recommendation: eat no more than a teaspoon of salt a day for a healthy heart. Health-conscious Americans have hewn to the conventional wisdom that your salt shaker can put you on the fast track to a heart attack, and have suffered through bland but “heart-healthy” dinners as a result. What if the low-salt dogma is wrong? Dr. James DiNicolantonio has reviewed more than five hundred publications to unravel the impact of salt on blood pressure and heart disease. He’s reached a startling conclusion: The vast majority of us don’t need to watch our salt intake. In fact, for most of us, more salt would be advantageous to our nutrition—especially for those of us on the keto diet, as keto depletes this important mineral from our bodies. The Salt Fix tells the remarkable story of how salt became unfairly demonized—a never-before-told drama of competing egos and interests—and took the fall for another white crystal: sugar. According to The Salt Fix, too little salt can: • Make you crave sugar and refined carbs • Send the body into semistarvation mode • Lead to weight gain, insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, chronic kidney disease, and increased blood pressure and heart rate But eating the salt you desire can improve everything, from your sleep, energy, and mental focus to your fitness, fertility, and sexual performance. It can even stave off common chronic illnesses, including heart disease. The Salt Fix shows the best ways to add salt back into your diet, offering his transformative five-step program for recalibrating your salt thermostat to achieve your unique, ideal salt intake. Science has moved on from the low-salt dogma, and so should you—your life may depend on it.


Book Synopsis The Salt Fix by : Dr. James DiNicolantonio

Download or read book The Salt Fix written by Dr. James DiNicolantonio and published by Harmony. This book was released on 2017-06-06 with total page 274 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: What if everything you know about salt is wrong? A leading cardiovascular research scientist explains how this vital crystal got a negative reputation, and shows how to lower blood pressure and experience weight loss using salt. The Salt Fix is essential reading for everyone on the keto diet! We’ve all heard the recommendation: eat no more than a teaspoon of salt a day for a healthy heart. Health-conscious Americans have hewn to the conventional wisdom that your salt shaker can put you on the fast track to a heart attack, and have suffered through bland but “heart-healthy” dinners as a result. What if the low-salt dogma is wrong? Dr. James DiNicolantonio has reviewed more than five hundred publications to unravel the impact of salt on blood pressure and heart disease. He’s reached a startling conclusion: The vast majority of us don’t need to watch our salt intake. In fact, for most of us, more salt would be advantageous to our nutrition—especially for those of us on the keto diet, as keto depletes this important mineral from our bodies. The Salt Fix tells the remarkable story of how salt became unfairly demonized—a never-before-told drama of competing egos and interests—and took the fall for another white crystal: sugar. According to The Salt Fix, too little salt can: • Make you crave sugar and refined carbs • Send the body into semistarvation mode • Lead to weight gain, insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, chronic kidney disease, and increased blood pressure and heart rate But eating the salt you desire can improve everything, from your sleep, energy, and mental focus to your fitness, fertility, and sexual performance. It can even stave off common chronic illnesses, including heart disease. The Salt Fix shows the best ways to add salt back into your diet, offering his transformative five-step program for recalibrating your salt thermostat to achieve your unique, ideal salt intake. Science has moved on from the low-salt dogma, and so should you—your life may depend on it.


Sodium Intake in Populations

Sodium Intake in Populations

Author: Institute of Medicine

Publisher: National Academies Press

Published: 2013-08-27

Total Pages: 225

ISBN-13: 0309282985

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Despite efforts over the past several decades to reduce sodium intake in the United States, adults still consume an average of 3,400 mg of sodium every day. A number of scientific bodies and professional health organizations, including the American Heart Association, the American Medical Association, and the American Public Health Association, support reducing dietary sodium intake. These organizations support a common goal to reduce daily sodium intake to less than 2,300 milligrams and further reduce intake to 1,500 mg among persons who are 51 years of age and older and those of any age who are African-American or have hypertension, diabetes, or chronic kidney disease. A substantial body of evidence supports these efforts to reduce sodium intake. This evidence links excessive dietary sodium to high blood pressure, a surrogate marker for cardiovascular disease (CVD), stroke, and cardiac-related mortality. However, concerns have been raised that a low sodium intake may adversely affect certain risk factors, including blood lipids and insulin resistance, and thus potentially increase risk of heart disease and stroke. In fact, several recent reports have challenged sodium reduction in the population as a strategy to reduce this risk. Sodium Intake in Populations recognizes the limitations of the available evidence, and explains that there is no consistent evidence to support an association between sodium intake and either a beneficial or adverse effect on most direct health outcomes other than some CVD outcomes (including stroke and CVD mortality) and all-cause mortality. Some evidence suggested that decreasing sodium intake could possibly reduce the risk of gastric cancer. However, the evidence was too limited to conclude the converse-that higher sodium intake could possibly increase the risk of gastric cancer. Interpreting these findings was particularly challenging because most studies were conducted outside the United States in populations consuming much higher levels of sodium than those consumed in this country. Sodium Intake in Populations is a summary of the findings and conclusions on evidence for associations between sodium intake and risk of CVD-related events and mortality.


Book Synopsis Sodium Intake in Populations by : Institute of Medicine

Download or read book Sodium Intake in Populations written by Institute of Medicine and published by National Academies Press. This book was released on 2013-08-27 with total page 225 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Despite efforts over the past several decades to reduce sodium intake in the United States, adults still consume an average of 3,400 mg of sodium every day. A number of scientific bodies and professional health organizations, including the American Heart Association, the American Medical Association, and the American Public Health Association, support reducing dietary sodium intake. These organizations support a common goal to reduce daily sodium intake to less than 2,300 milligrams and further reduce intake to 1,500 mg among persons who are 51 years of age and older and those of any age who are African-American or have hypertension, diabetes, or chronic kidney disease. A substantial body of evidence supports these efforts to reduce sodium intake. This evidence links excessive dietary sodium to high blood pressure, a surrogate marker for cardiovascular disease (CVD), stroke, and cardiac-related mortality. However, concerns have been raised that a low sodium intake may adversely affect certain risk factors, including blood lipids and insulin resistance, and thus potentially increase risk of heart disease and stroke. In fact, several recent reports have challenged sodium reduction in the population as a strategy to reduce this risk. Sodium Intake in Populations recognizes the limitations of the available evidence, and explains that there is no consistent evidence to support an association between sodium intake and either a beneficial or adverse effect on most direct health outcomes other than some CVD outcomes (including stroke and CVD mortality) and all-cause mortality. Some evidence suggested that decreasing sodium intake could possibly reduce the risk of gastric cancer. However, the evidence was too limited to conclude the converse-that higher sodium intake could possibly increase the risk of gastric cancer. Interpreting these findings was particularly challenging because most studies were conducted outside the United States in populations consuming much higher levels of sodium than those consumed in this country. Sodium Intake in Populations is a summary of the findings and conclusions on evidence for associations between sodium intake and risk of CVD-related events and mortality.