Locked on salt? Excessive consumption of high-sodium foods during COVID-19 presents an underappreciated public health risk: a review

Abstract

Abrupt changes in food preferences and eating habits have induced an overlooked health risk during the coronavirus disease pandemic (COVID-19). Indeed, emerging evidence points to a major shift to consumption of high-sodium foods during the pandemic lockdowns in the population from different countries and cultures. High-sodium foods have sodium contents exceeding 500 mg per 100 g, and many processed and preserved foods fall into this category. Excessive dietary sodium intake is associated with chronic diseases including hypertension, cardiovascular diseases, and kidney diseases, and thus poses confounding risks during the pandemic. Here, we review food categories in consumers’ shopping lists and food parcels delivered to people who needed assistance during the pandemic, when frozen meals, canned foods, instant foods, snacks, and other high-sodium foods gained substantial popularity. Such change in consumers’ behavior is driven by several factors: the perceived risk of viral infection in grocery shopping trips, limited supplies and inflated prices of fresh produce, preference on foods with long shelf lives, and emotional eating. Moreover, the general low awareness of sodium contents in food has contributed to the increased consumption of high-sodium foods during the pandemic. We also discuss the possible effects on COVID-19 infection and severity caused by excessive sodium intake. We conclude that the public should be educated to maintain a healthy sodium intake during the pandemic, and measures should be adopted by governments and private donors in procuring food parcels with more balanced sodium contents to lower the risks of prolonged and excessive sodium intakes in the vulnerable population.

Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on Weight and BMI among UK Adults: A Longitudinal Analysis of Data from the HEBECO Study

“…Dietary changes are important determinants of weight change as brief periods of weight gain are typically driven by energy overconsumption, such as from increased ultraprocessed, HFSS food intake [22,45,48,49]. Studies have noted increased snacking alongside elevated stress, appetite, boredom, low craving control and higher emotional eating during the pandemic [12,46,50]. Given the high palatability of HFSS snacks, individuals may have demonstrated emotional eating behaviours and consumed additional HFSS snack foods as a comfort mechanism to deal with COVID-19 related stress, depression or anxiety [50,51].…”

“…Studies have noted increased snacking alongside elevated stress, appetite, boredom, low craving control and higher emotional eating during the pandemic [12,46,50]. Given the high palatability of HFSS snacks, individuals may have demonstrated emotional eating behaviours and consumed additional HFSS snack foods as a comfort mechanism to deal with COVID-19 related stress, depression or anxiety [50,51]. HFSS foods also tend to have long shelf lives, be cheaper and more readily accessible.…”

“…HFSS foods also tend to have long shelf lives, be cheaper and more readily accessible. Individuals may have 'stocked-up' on HFSS foods through less frequent shopping trips [50]. Being stuck at home may have increased sedentary time and time spent watching TV, further contributing to increased snacking [52].…”

Impact of COVID-19 pandemic on weight and BMI among UK adults: a longitudinal analysis of data from the HEBECO study

“…HFSS foods also tend to have long shelf lives, be cheaper and more readily accessible. Individuals may have 'stocked-up' on HFSS foods through less frequent shopping trips [52]. Being stuck at home may have increased sedentary time and time spent watching TV, further contributing to increased snacking [54].…”

“…Studies have noted increased snacking alongside elevated stress, appetite, boredom, low craving control and higher emotional eating during the pandemic [12,48,52]. Given the high palatability of HFSS snacks, individuals may have demonstrated emotional eating behaviours and consumed additional HFSS snack foods as a comfort mechanism to deal with COVID-19 related stress, depression or anxiety [52,53]. HFSS foods also tend to have long shelf lives, be cheaper and more readily accessible.…”