Sodium health effects - Articles

American Heart Association to U.S. schools: Ignore USDA’s rollback of nutrition rules

December 7, 2018

The American Heart Association issued the following statement in response to the final rule on school nutrition standards issued yesterday by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). The rule eliminates the final sodium target, decreases the amount of whole grains, and allows 1 percent flavored milk in school meals.

USDA to roll back health changes to school menus

November 30, 2017

Changes to school meals proposed this week by the Trump administration are getting praised by school nutritionists and slammed by health experts. Among other things, the interim final rule released by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) allows schools to avoid reducing sodium levels in breakfasts and lunches – a mandate introduced by former President Barack Obama. Sodium reduction was to take place in stages through the year 2022.

AHA blasts Congress for tobacco, school meals riders in ag bill

July 13, 2017

“The nutrition and tobacco riders tucked into this bill are a serious setback to the strong progress we’ve made on these issues to benefit the health of the public. This legislation fails everyone when it comes to nutrition."

Public health

Schools get next target for sodium reduction

January 10, 2017

The American Heart Association (AHA) is cheering the USDA’s recent memo detailing the next phase of lowering the sodium content of school menus. The memo, which was sent to those responsible for administering school meal programs, provides detailed information about how to meet target two of the Healthy Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010, a final rule published by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) intended to improve the health of America’s school children.

FDA to food industry: Reduce sodium in your products

June 2, 2016

The FDA this week released a draft of voluntary sodium targets in an effort to get the food industry to decrease sodium in their products. The goal: to help the public achieve a daily goal of no more 3000 milligrams in two years, and 2300 milligrams in a decade.

Health experts angered by pro-salt study

May 26, 2016

A recent study suggesting that too little sodium can lead to cardiovascular disease has the American Heart Association (AHA) all fired up.

Six things that raise your blood pressure

February 17, 2016

Keeping your pressure under control can mean adding things to your life, like exercise, that help lower it. But, you may not realize that it also means avoiding things that raise your pressure. A healthy blood pressure level means you’re less likely to have a heart attack or stroke.

Health advocates slam Senate reluctance to cut salt in school foods

July 31, 2015

American Heart Association CEO Nancy Brown issued the following comments today on the Senate Agriculture Appropriations bill that would delay the sodium requirement for school foods under the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act:

CDC: U.S. kids eating too much sodium

Trend puts them at risk for high blood pressure, heart disease

September 26, 2014

More than 90 percent of U.S. children, aged 6-18 years, eat more sodium than recommended, putting them at risk for developing high blood pressure and heart disease later in life, according to a new CDC Vital Signs report.

Want to cut back on salt? Use herbs and spices instead

But being trained how to do it is even better

March 21, 2014

With excessive sodium intake the culprit in health problems ranging from hypertension to osteoporosis and kidney disorders, health experts are in agreement that Americans should reduce the amount of salt they consume. Just how to do that is challenging, given the abundance of salty snacks and high-sodium commercial prepared foods that are commonplace in our diets.