foodconsumer.org

Salt Institute: New dietary guidelines on sodium will increase obesity and health risks for Americans (PR)

Thu, 08 Jul 2010 22:34:00 +0000

Editor' note: We can help publish your press release for free here. Send it to foodconsumer.org@gmail.com.

Riley

Wed, 14 Jul 2010 16:39:39 +0000

This is absurd. The science behind the health benefits of 1500mg/da of sodium is unassailable and not in doubt. The Salt Institute claims are pseudo-science, junk science, and another reason to look skeptically at any industry funded "science" claim. They're in it for the money, not our health.

Michael Bulger

Thu, 03 Feb 2011 22:21:17 +0000

The negative health consequences you cite occur at sodium levels WELL BELOW what is being recommended by the USDA.

I glanced at the abstract a study you cite. What you describe as a low-sodium regime might more accurately be depicted as an salt deprivation. The study found risks occurring at <20mmol/d. The new recommendations would be well above that at closer to 70mmol/d. You should reevaluate your use of the study as evidence.

As to your assumption that humans have an innate taste for salty snacks and would not possibly be satisfied by lower-salt options, you once again seem to be facing evidence to the contrary. From the DGAC report: "Taste preference for sodium is neither fixed nor innate. Rather, it is a malleable trait that is influenced by dietary exposure. At birth, there is no indication that salty substances are distinguishable or preferred (Beauchamp, 1986). "

"Studies have demonstrated that reducing dietary sodium intake over a time period of as little as 3 to 4 weeks can decrease preference for salty foods and increase acceptance of foods with reduced sodium content (Bertino, 1982;; Cooper and Sanger, 1984)."

To put it simply, the less salt we eat, the less we care for it. This, I am sure, does not seem good for your business. Think instead of the lives saved and the extended lives (and therefore ability to purchase products) that will result.

If you insist on heaping praise upon salt, please do not insult the public by trying to pass off studies of salt deprivation as evidence that current levels are beneficial.

Kathleen Blanchard

Sun, 20 Mar 2011 17:33:46 +0000

Michael left the exact same comment at our website when we published the Salt Institute's response. Not sure why the Salt Institute isn't contacted directly, or why anyone assumes the press release is the website's "praise" or opinion...