Sodium Overconsumption vs Salty Goodness - Who Will Win?

For food distributors and manufacturers the recent news regarding sodium intake has been equal parts alarming and confusing. As medical studies continue to reveal the dangers of a high sodium diet, will consumers switch to less salt? Alternative salts?

Do consumers really care?

Well, yes and no.

While the news regarding sodium intake is bad - after all it appears to contribute to everything from heart disease to stroke to high blood pressure - whether or not this will change salt consumption isn't clear.

In some cases, salt alternatives are gaining ground. This can mean salt-like seasonings, or even the use of sea salts which tend to offer more salty good flavor with less product.

And in response food manufacturing giants are working hard to cut back on sodium in their foods, and offer products that mimic the flavor of salt without the dangerous side effects.

However, according to research giant NPD, the American consumption of low sodium foods is actually declining.

Well, that's confusing.

So while the public is concerned about their sodium intake, they aren't ready to move to low salt foods.

For food manufacturers and distributors this means that while it's a good idea to offer some low sodium alternatives, you don't have to throw out your salt shakers just yet.