Abstract

Limiting dietary sodium intake has been a consistent dietary recommendation. Using NHANES 2007–2010 data, we estimated current sodium intake and modeled the potential impact of a new sodium reduction technology on sodium intake. NHANES 2007–2010 data were used to assess current sodium intake. The National Cancer Institute method was used for usual intake determination. Suggested sodium reductions using SODA ‐ LO ^® Salt Microspheres ranged from 20% to 30% in 953 foods and usual intakes were modeled by using various reduction factors and levels of market penetration. SAS 9.2, SUDAAN 11, and NHANES survey weights were used in all calculations with assessment across gender and age groups. Current (2007–2010) sodium intake (mg/day) exceeds recommendations across all age gender groups and has not changed during the last decade. However, sodium intake measured as a function of food intake (mg/g food) has decreased significantly during the last decade. Two food categories contribute about 2/3rd of total sodium intake: “Grain Products” and “Meat, Poultry, Fish & Mixtures”. Sodium reduction, with 100% market penetration of the new technology, was estimated to be 230–300 mg/day or 7–9% of intake depending upon age and gender group. Sodium reduction innovations like SODA ‐ LO ^® Salt Microspheres could contribute to meaningful reductions in sodium intake.

Reducing dietary sodium is an important target for public health improvement due to its association with reduced blood pressure and reduced risk of stroke and coronary heart disease in adults. In the present work we estimated sodium intake using a very large comprehensive epidemiologic database of the U.S. population and modeled the potential sodium reduction via a new sodium reduction technology, SODA‐ LO ® Salt Microspheres. Our results show that current sodium intake exceeds the recommendations across all age gender groups and has not changed significantly during the last decade. Grain Products” and “Meat, Poultry, Fish & Mixtures” are the two major food categories contributing about 2/3rd of total sodium intake. Using sodium reduction technology like SODA‐LO^® Salt Microspheres could potentially decrease sodium intake by about 230–300 mg/day or 7–9% of intake depending upon age and gender group. Such a reduction in sodium intake could result in a reduction of blood pressure and subsequent reduction in cost of health care.