Study Finds Most Concerning Ingredient in Football Food Ads
The Super Bowl is right around the corner, and companies have been waiting for months to debut their highly anticipated ads around the event. When it comes to food commercials, one not-so-healthy ingredient reigns supreme, according to a new study.
Research recently published in the JAMA Network Open journal examined the commercials that played during 10 NFL games from September to November 2023 and found that 10 percent of the ads, or 102 commercials, were for food products. In those foods, the sodium content ranged anywhere from 220 milligrams to 1,872 milligrams, with a median of 910 milligrams. The recommended daily limit is 2,300 milligrams of sodium, according to the Dietary Guidelines for Americans. Unsurprisingly, fast food topped the list when it came to sodium content.
"We proved what probably a lot of people have long suspected, and that is that foods advertised during NFL games … are frequently high in sodium and calories and fat content," study author Dr. Paul Hauptman told CNN.
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High consumption levels of sodium have been linked to a bevy of health problems like high blood pressure and cardiovascular disease. If you're looking to cut a lot of salt out of your life, Hauptman explained that it becomes easier the more you eliminate.
"Patients who are able to adhere to a low-sodium diet, not only are their symptoms better if they have heart failure, but their palate sort of adjusts," he said. "Eat in moderation, and just try to read labels."
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If you're concerned, you can always opt for protein-filled options like wings this Sunday instead of chips.