Reducing Dietary Salt Intake Would Save Billions In U.S. Medical Costs - Study

September 1, 2009: 12:35 PM EST

A recent RAND Corporation study published in the American Journal of Health Promotion suggests that "large benefits to society may result from efforts to lower sodium consumption on a population level by modest amounts over time". Adults in the U.S. on average consume nearly twice the recommended maximum of dietary sodium, most of it from processed foods and high sodium consumption often contributes to hypertension and related complications such as heart and kidney disease. Reading food packages and having lower-sodium alternatives in their diet could help Americans cut salt intake to healthier levels. The study estimates that if Americans were able to lower sodium intake to a healthy 2,300 mg per day, the cost of treatment for blood pressure and related disorders would drop by $18 billion. The saving would be $26 billion if average daily sodium intake decreased to 1,500 mg.

Kartika Palar, Roland Sturm, "Potential Societal Savings From Reduced Sodium Consumption in the U.S. Adult Population", American Journal of Health Promotion, September 01, 2009, © American Journal of Health Promotion, Inc.

Domains

FOOD BUSINESS NEWS
Market Segments
News
Ingredients
Operations
Cooking Ingredients
Packaged Foods & Meats

Geographies

Worldwide
North America
United States of America

Reducing Dietary Salt Intake Would Save Billions In U.S. Medical Costs - Study

Domains

Geographies

Categories

See also: