Additives in Processed Foods Boost Sodium and Phosphorus Intake

A recent study found that additives in processed foods can augment total sodium and phosphorus content by approximately 60% per day. The additive-enhanced diet contained the same food items as a low-additive diet except that highly processed foods were substituted for minimally processed foods. When averaged over 4 days, the measured phosphorus content of the additive-enhanced diet was 606 mg higher and the sodium content was 1329 mg higher than the low-additive diet. The Journal of Renal Nutrition findings indicate that food additives present a significant barrier to lowering sodium and/or phosphorus intake in CKD patients.