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FDA wants to cut sodium in packaged and processed foods by about 20% (www.nbcnews.com)
submitted 2 years ago* by to c/news@lemmy.world
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The agency wants to lower how much salt we consume over the next three years to an average of 2,750 milligrams per day. That's still above the recommended limit of 2,300 mg.

The Food and Drug Administration on Thursday laid out fresh goals to cut sodium levels in packaged and processed foods  by about 20%, after its prior efforts to address a growing epidemic of diet-related chronic diseases showed early signs of success.

The FDA in October 2021 had set guidelines to trim sodium levels in foods ranging from potato chips to hamburgers in a bid to prevent excessive intake of salt that can trigger high blood pressure, a major risk factor for heart disease and stroke.

The agency is now seeking voluntary curbs from packaged-food makers such as PepsiCo, Kraft Heinz and Campbell Soup. The companies did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

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[–] 20 points 2 years ago (3 children)

Salt is not an issue if you're healthy and drink enough water. Our problem is we're not healthy and don't drink enough water...we eat chips and drink coke with it.

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  • [–] 12 points 2 years ago* (1 child)

    I'd caveat it's not unhealthy if you sweat a lot, drink lots of water, AND consume a level of dietary potassium 2x that of your sodium intake, which pretty much nobody is. (and disclaimer I'm no doctor).

    Sodium and potassium work together with opposite functions via the sodium-potassium pump. Too much salt leads to water retention within cells. That's the best case scenario so long as you're drinking lots of water. Too much salt absent of potassium will send blood pressure up due to vasoconstriction.

    Potassium helps the body regulate fluid retention and helps to concentrate urine while helping with vasodilation of blood vessels (among many other important functions).

    Just learning all this as I've taken a deep-dive on this stuff for my own health as well as my mom's.

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  • [–] 6 points 2 years ago* (1 child)

    I’ve read this a lot but have no idea how to increase potassium. There’s only so many bananas you can eat and clearly one every day is not enough

    Even if there’s a salt substitute with potassium, I’m not sure the point when there’s no problem with salt you intentionally add. Especially since I rarely do

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  • [–] 4 points 2 years ago

    Getting large amounts of potassium is definitely tough, and for me it basically comes down to eating a lot of green salads, potato, banana, and coconut water.

    I confess I'll also add some potassium citrate to my water here and there to get a little more. But I don't advise that unless you know what you're doing.

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