Nine in 10 eat too much salt in food
Source: Agencies |
June 26, 2010, Saturday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
NINE out of 10 Americans eat too much salt with most of them getting more than twice the recommended amount, according to a survey by government researchers.
They said an estimated 77 percent of dietary sodium comes from processed foods and restaurant foods.
"Sodium has become so pervasive in our food supply that it's difficult for the vast majority of Americans to stay within recommended limits," said Janelle Peralez Gunn, public health analyst with the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, who led the study.
"Public health professionals, together with food manufacturers, retailers and health care providers, must take action now to help support people's efforts to reduce their sodium consumption," Peralez Gunn said.
The study said most Americans consume 3,466 milligrams of sodium a day, more than twice the recommended limit. Much of the excess sodium comes from foods like pizza, cookies and meats, it said.
The 2005 Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommend eating no more than 2,300mg of sodium per day. Proposed new guidelines for 2010 would lower that to 1,500mg.
Eating too much salt can raise blood pressure, which can cause kidney failure and strokes. The Institute of Medicine in February declared high blood pressure a "neglected disease" that costs the US health system US$73 billion a year.
According to the CDC survey, grain-based foods account for the biggest proportion of salt in the American diet, providing 36.9 percent of the total average intake of 3,466mg.
That is followed by foods containing meat, chicken and fish, which account for 27.9 percent.
They said an estimated 77 percent of dietary sodium comes from processed foods and restaurant foods.
"Sodium has become so pervasive in our food supply that it's difficult for the vast majority of Americans to stay within recommended limits," said Janelle Peralez Gunn, public health analyst with the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, who led the study.
"Public health professionals, together with food manufacturers, retailers and health care providers, must take action now to help support people's efforts to reduce their sodium consumption," Peralez Gunn said.
The study said most Americans consume 3,466 milligrams of sodium a day, more than twice the recommended limit. Much of the excess sodium comes from foods like pizza, cookies and meats, it said.
The 2005 Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommend eating no more than 2,300mg of sodium per day. Proposed new guidelines for 2010 would lower that to 1,500mg.
Eating too much salt can raise blood pressure, which can cause kidney failure and strokes. The Institute of Medicine in February declared high blood pressure a "neglected disease" that costs the US health system US$73 billion a year.
According to the CDC survey, grain-based foods account for the biggest proportion of salt in the American diet, providing 36.9 percent of the total average intake of 3,466mg.
That is followed by foods containing meat, chicken and fish, which account for 27.9 percent.
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