Determination of salt content in hot takeaway meals in the United Kingdom

Abstract

Determination of salt content in hot takeaway meals in the United Kingdom 26Highlights 27 ► high sodium intake is associated with negative health outcomes ► pizzas had the highest salt 28 content per portion, followed by Chinese meals ► significant differences in salt content between 29 meals in the same category were found ► results show salt content in takeaway food is 30 alarmingly high 31 Abstract 32High sodium intake is associated with negative health outcomes, including an independent 33 correlation with high blood pressure which increases the risk of cardiovascular disease. A high 34proportion of sodium intake in the UK is from processed and out of the home food; this includes 35 takeaway food which is increasing in popularity. The aim of the present study was to evaluate 36 salt levels in popular hot takeaway meals. A total of 411 samples of 23 different types of 37 takeaway meals were analysed. Obtained results show the salt content in these kinds of foods is 38 alarmingly high. Comparing medians (interquartile range) for different meal categories, Pizzas 39 contained the highest salt content per portion (9.45 g (6.97-12.83), followed by Chinese meals 40 (8.07 g (5.47-10.99g)), ) and Indian meals (4.73 g (3.61-6.10)). In 41 addition, significant differences in the salt content between meals within the same category were 42 reported. To enable the consumer to meet the UK's target salt intake, a significant reduction in the 43 salt content of hot takeaway meals should be considered. 44 45

Trans fatty acid content of takeaway food in Merseyside, UK

“…The current study shows certain takeaway foods to be excessively high in TFA, and frequent consumption would increase the risk of coronary heart disease. We previously reported takeaway food to be high in salt (2) and others have shown fast foods to be high in SFA and sugar (1) and evidence suggest that frequent consumption of takeaway food increases the risk of obesity and insulin resistance (4) . The current study adds to the literature showing certain takeaway food is also high in TFA.…”

“…Food prepared outside of the home tends to be energy dense, higher in fat, saturated fatty acids (SFA), sugar and salt (1,2) . In addition, high levels of trans fatty acids (TFA) have been reported from fast food chains and TFA are associated with increased risk of coronary heart disease (3) .…”

Total sugar content of takeaway food in Merseyside, UK

“…The current study shows that some Chinese and Indian popular takeaway meals are very high in sugar content. We have previously shown that certain takeaway food is high in salt (4) and others have shown takeaway food to increase the risk of obesity and components of cardiometabolic risk. Further studies are needed to determine the type of sugar within takeaway food and to investigate consumption patterns of various populations.…”

Saturated fatty acid content of popular takeaway food in the UK

“…Food prepared outside the home has increased in popularity, this food tends to be energy dense, higher in total fat, saturated fatty acids (SFA), sugar and salt (1,2) . There is limited data on the SFA content of takeaway food from independent establishments and SFA are associated with lipid abnormalities (3) .…”