Foods contributing to sodium intake and urinary sodium excretion in a group of Australian women

Abstract

AbstractObjectivesTo identify food sources of Na in a group of community-dwelling women in Adelaide, South Australia. A secondary aim was to measure Na excretion in this group.DesignSurvey.SettingCommunity setting, Adelaide, South Australia.SubjectsSeventy healthy women (mean age 48·6 (sd8·1) years, mean BMI 28·6 (sd6·3) kg/m2) living in metropolitan Adelaide, South Australia and participating in a validation study of an FFQ. Dietary intake was derived from two 4 d weighed food records. Foods from the 4 d weighed food records were grouped according to foods or food groups to establish contributors to Na intake. Na excretion was measured in two 24 h urine samples. Completeness of urine collections was verified using creatinine excretion.ResultsBread alone contributed 19·0 % of Na intake, with an overall contribution from the breads and cereals group of 32·5 %. Meat products contributed 14·4 % of intake, the dairy and eggs group (excluding cheese) 9·6 % and combination dishes (e.g. pizza, quiche, sandwiches and stir fry dishes) 8·4 %. Na excretion was 126 (sd42) mmol/d, i.e. approximately 7·6 (sd2.5) g salt/d. Seventy per cent of participants (n48) had Na excretion ≥100 mmol/d (146 (sd34) mmol/d).ConclusionsEffective Na reduction could be achieved by reducing the amount in staple foods such as bread and meat products.