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UPI
5 days ago
- Health
- UPI
Pizza, soup, chicken among biggest sources of sodium for Americans
But beyond the common love for pizza, soup and chicken, the ways different groups of Americans consume too much sodium vary widely, researchers found. Photo by Brett Jordan/ Pexels These days Americans can agree on few things, but unfortunately, pizza, soup and chicken aren't among them, a new study says. Those three foods are some of the main sources of sodium for Americans of all racial and ethnic groups, contributing to high blood pressure and heart disease in the United States, researchers reported Wednesday in the Journal of the American Heart Association. But beyond the common love for pizza, soup and chicken, the ways different groups of Americans consume too much sodium vary widely, researchers found. For example, Asian American adults are more likely to add salt in their cooking, but less likely to sprinkle it at the table, results show. Meanwhile, Black Americans are more likely to try to reduce their salt intake, often on the advice of their doctor, researchers say. The average American consumes about 3,400 milligrams of sodium a day, far above the American Heart Association's recommended 2,300 mg. for healthy people and 1,500 mg. for those with high blood pressure, researchers said in background notes. "The World Health Organization calls sodium reduction one of the most cost-effective strategies for addressing chronic conditions such as heart disease," said lead researcher Jessica Cheng, a postdoctoral research fellow in epidemiology at the Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health in Boston. "High sodium intake can even affect non-heart-related diseases like kidney disease," she added in a news release. For the study, researchers analyzed data gathered by a federal survey on health and nutrition from 2017 to 2020, to see what racial and ethnic differences there might be when it comes to sodium intake. Results showed that pizza, soup and chicken were among the top 10 sources of sodium for every racial and ethnic group in America. After that, the top sources of sodium tended to vary widely: Four culturally unique foods accounted for more than 14% of daily sodium for Asian Americans -- soy sauce, fish, stir-fry sauces and fried rice/chow mein dishes. Mixed dishes represented unique top sources of sodium for Mexican Americans, including enchiladas, tamales, gorditas, chimichangas, quesadillas, fajitas and chiles relleños. Chicken patties, nuggets and tenders are among the top sodium sources for Black Americans. However, there's some potentially good news. Prior studies might have overestimated how much sodium Asian Americans get by assuming that the rice they eat is salted, researchers said. "Culturally, not all Asians salt plain rice," Cheng said. "If they don't add salt to rice when cooking, then their sodium intake is among the lowest across all racial and ethnic groups." Regardless of a person's background, cutting back on salt will boost their health, she said. "Based on these findings, I suggest varying your diet and adding more potassium-rich foods such as vegetables, which can also help reduce blood pressure," Cheng said. "You don't have to avoid pizza completely; eat it less often or try making it at home with low-sodium cheese, dough and tomato sauce you make from scratch." The knowledge gathered in the new study "is critical for health professionals counseling patients on how they can reduce sodium in their lives and within their families," American Heart Association spokesman Dr. Stephen Juraschek said in a news release. "Interventions targeting sodium reduction should account for differences among groups and tailor to patients' unique needs," added Juraschek, who was not involved in the study. More information The American Heart Association has tips on shaking the salt habit. Copyright © 2025 HealthDay. All rights reserved.
Business Wire
30-04-2025
- Business
- Business Wire
Setting a New Standard: Lignetics Group Unveils NaturFil TM, an Innovative Green Alternative to Unsustainable Fillers
BROOMFIELD, Colo.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Lignetics Group—a leader in innovative, eco-friendly industrial materials—unveils NaturFil, a product sure to revolutionize the plastics industry and set a new benchmark for sustainable manufacturing. An alternative to mineral and other fillers, NaturFil is a wood flour concentrate made with a patent-pending technology engineered from responsibly sourced wood residuals and designed for use in rigid and semi-rigid polymer composites. The product offers versatility across various industrial applications. "By transforming wood waste into a premium product, we are empowering industries—from construction, durable goods, automotive, composites and more—with material that enhances performance while significantly reducing environmental footprints." 'By transforming wood waste into a premium product, we are empowering industries—from construction, durable goods, automotive, composites and more—with a material that enhances performance while significantly reducing environmental footprints,' says Brett Jordan, CEO at Lignetics Group. 'Our NaturFil is a testament to Lignetics' continued commitment to sustainability and innovation.' Because NaturFil sets a new standard in the plastics industry and aligns with the growing U.S. demand for over 5 million tons of filler annually, it is poised to become a highly sought-after solution for manufacturers seeking cost-effective, sustainable alternatives. For this material, Lignetics has taken loose wood flour and converted it into pellets that consist of over 95% wood flour mixed with a polymer, making it easier to disperse, safer to use and less dusty. These qualities help improve feedability and handling compared to traditional wood flour, making it the preferred choice for bio-based fillers in polymer applications. 'This product is entirely different from conventional wood flours that require special handling and safety equipment,' says Lignetics Senior Director of Innovation Frank Kvietok. 'We've taken wood flour and made it easier to work with, we've made it easier to convey, easier to use, and, most importantly, safer.' NaturFil offers a more economical alternative to traditional mineral fillers due to its lighter weight and cost efficiency. At 53% less weight than mineral fillers per volume, it will reduce material costs, helping businesses advance sustainability efforts while improving their bottom line. This product is also densified, which accelerates processing speeds compared to conventional biofillers. NaturFil is compatible with a wide range of thermoplastics, including polypropylene, polyethylene, polyvinyl chloride, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene and bioplastics such as polylactic acid and polyhydroxyalkanoates. It enhances the stiffness and dimensional stability of polymer composites and can be used in a number of different applications including building and construction materials, automotive interior components, furniture and consumer goods, packaging solutions, agricultural and horticultural products and more. This material is recognized for its sustainability for several reasons. First, all wood used in the material is sourced from sustainable sources, ensuring responsible forestry practices. Additionally, the wood used for this product is upcycled from residual materials of the lumber and wood products industries that would typically end up in a landfill, but instead, it is repurposed into a valuable resource for diverse industrial applications—turning wood byproducts into opportunity. Finally, the production process is highly energy efficient, reducing greenhouse gas emissions. During development, Lignetics consulted with Washington State University's Composite Materials & Engineering Center (CMEC) in the early stages for compounding and converting trials. In the experiments, CMEC research professors Karl Englund and Hui Li found some key differences between NaturFil and conventional wood flour. 'The real advantage of NaturFil is how much easier and cleaner it is to handle compared to conventional wood flour,' says Englund. 'Traditional wood flour creates a lot of dust, which isn't just a mess, it's a safety hazard and can clog equipment. With this concentrate, you're getting a pelletized form that seamlessly integrates into existing processes without requiring special handling or extra cleanup.' They also noticed NaturFil has advantages over traditional mineral fillers when it comes to performance and processing. 'The wood fiber in this concentrate acts as a bulking agent that extends resin naturally, giving manufacturers more value from their materials,' says Li. 'Because NaturFil is highly fibrous, it runs better, integrates more efficiently, and enhances stiffness and strength without significantly impacting flexibility.' Lignetics is uniquely positioned to handle the demand for the massive filler market, thanks to its nationwide network of 29 plants and a decades deep wood residual supply chain. As the largest national supplier of wood residual products, Lignetics sources and upcycles over 5.2 billion pounds of wood waste annually, transforming it into clean, green solutions like premium wood pellets, densified logs and bricks, and fire starters. With profound expertise in wood-based products and a commitment to efficiency, the company brings professionalism and consistency to a fragmented industry. By consolidating regional facilities under one unified organization, the company strengthens its ability to provide reliable, high-quality solutions while staying true to its mission: turning wood waste into valuable, sustainable products. 'We know this product will be popular once businesses see how effective it is,' says Jordan. 'Lignetics is prepared to meet that demand. Wood is what we do.' For more information and to speak with a representative, contact L.D. Sheftel at 303-802-5413 or ecosolutions@ About Lignetics Group Inc. Lignetics Group Inc. is a family of brands dedicated to sustainability, producing 100% natural products by upcycling wood waste. The company's brands include Green Supreme heating pellets, Bear Mountain BBQ pellets, densified logs and bricks, fire starters, Catalyst Pet and Feline Fresh high-performance cat litters, and small and large animal bedding. Lignetics is also a trusted industrial partner, providing sorbent pellets, wood flour, wood by-products and toll manufacturing services. Lignetics looks to the future with innovations, such as the game-changing wood flour pellet developed in its research and development center. As the largest residential wood pellet manufacturer in the U.S., Lignetics boasts an annual pelleting production capacity of 2 million tons, upcycling more than 5.2 billion pounds of wood residuals in 29 mills from coast to coast. The company's nationwide network enables investments that improve quality and product availability while reducing customer risks and meeting regulatory requirements. Lignetics Group is pioneering advanced bio-based solutions that merge cutting-edge technology with environmentally responsible practices. By transforming wood waste into valuable materials, the company is driving a greener global economy and setting new standards for the bio-based innovations of tomorrow. For more information, please visit or email us at mgrooms@
