Race, Ethnicity Influence Sodium Sources, Sodium Reduction Behavior
By Elana Gotkine HealthDay Reporter
WEDNESDAY, May 28, 2025 -- There are similarities and differences in the sources of sodium and sodium reduction behaviors between racial and ethnic groups, according to a study published online May 28 in the Journal of the American Heart Association.
Jessica Cheng, Ph.D., from the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health in Boston, and colleagues used National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2017 to 2020 prepandemic data to examine racial and ethnic differences in sodium sources and sodium-related behaviors.
The researchers found that across racial and ethnic groups, the top sources of sodium were pizza, soup, and chicken. Four top sources were unique for Asian Americans (e.g., soy-based condiments). The highest rates of reducing sodium were reported by Black adults (67 percent versus 44 percent among White adults), and they received more physician sodium reduction advice (35 percent versus 18 percent among Asian American adults). The likelihood of frequent salt use during food preparation was highest for Asian Americans (66 percent versus 32 percent for Other Race adults), and they more often reported not using salt at the table (39 percent versus 18 percent among Mexican American adults). Asian American sodium intake estimates were reduced by about 325 mg daily assuming rice is unsalted.
"Sodium reduction initiatives at multiple levels, especially changes to the food supply through mandatory or voluntary sodium reduction targets, will be needed to reduce sodium to recommended levels," the authors write. "Current dietary data collection methods and concepts may need to be challenged in order to promote inclusivity of diverse eating patterns."
Disclaimer: Statistical data in medical articles provide general trends and do not pertain to individuals. Individual factors can vary greatly. Always seek personalized medical advice for individual healthcare decisions.
© 2025 HealthDay. All rights reserved.
Posted May 2025
Read this next
Sedentary Behavior in U.S. Adults Declined in Last Decade
WEDNESDAY, May 28, 2025 -- Sedentary behavior among U.S. adults fell between 2013 and 2020 but plateaued after that, according to a research letter published online May 21 in...
Childhood Cancer Survivors Have Increased Risk for CKD, Hypertension
THURSDAY, May 22, 2025 -- Childhood cancer survivors (CCS) have an increased risk for chronic kidney disease (CKD) and hypertension, according to a study published online May 19...
Mortality, Sudden Cardiac Death Higher for Male Professional Bodybuilders
THURSDAY, May 22, 2025 -- The risks for death and sudden cardiac death (SCD) are higher for male bodybuilders than amateurs, according to a study published online May 20 in the...
More news resources
- FDA Medwatch Drug Alerts
- Daily MedNews
- News for Health Professionals
- New Drug Approvals
- New Drug Applications
- Drug Shortages
- Clinical Trial Results
- Generic Drug Approvals
Subscribe to our newsletter
Whatever your topic of interest, subscribe to our newsletters to get the best of Drugs.com in your inbox.