Americans are not worried about sodium intake

While the food industry works diligently to reduce sodium in formulations, it turns out consumers may not be all that concerned about their sodium intake. 

According to the 2011 International Food Information Council Sodium Survey, 59 percent of Americans say they’re not concerned about their sodium intake, and 70 percent say they don’t know how much sodium they should get in a day. The numbers are similar for people with high blood pressure, with 56 percent not knowing how much or overestimating how much sodium they should consume in a day.

“With all the attention sodium has received in the last few years, including in the 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans, it’s surprising that Americans are still not well aware of sodium guidelines," said Marianne Smith Edge, IFIC Senior Vice President of Nutrition and Food Safety. “Particularly for the at-risk populations, such as those with high blood pressure, these results show there’s a great educational opportunity available to highlight the variety of ways to manage blood pressure."

The survey, a random sampling of 1,003 U.S. adults, also revealed that 4 in 10 say taste is the top barrier for not limiting sodium intake, as they believe product flavor will suffer without it. Americans also see sodium reduction as just one of many contributing factors to a healthful diet. Increasing fruits and vegetables (70 percent) is consumers’ top choice when rating the three most important elements of a healthful diet. Only 38 percent rated limiting sodium as one of the most important factors. 

“Because there are a variety of factors and approaches that go into building a healthful diet, it’s not surprising that limiting sodium is trumped by other dietary factors," according to Smith Edge. “It is clear Americans understand positive messages that involve foods versus just nutrients—like eat more fruits and vegetables—as a good way to consume less sodium and more potassium."