Sodium and potassium intake inTicino: a population-based study

Abstract

The urinary sodium-to-potassium ratio is an indicator of both dietary intake of these electrolytes and cardiovascular risk. Sex and age may influence this ratio. The aim of the study was to assess sodium and potassium intake in the Ticino population through urinary excretion and to compare the findings with available literature and WHO recommendations. A total of 1,037 adults (567 women and 470 men) were evaluated. Urinary sodium, urinary potassium, and the sodium-to-potassium ratio were compared between sexes. Linear correlations and multiple linear regression analyses were performed to assess the association between the sodium-to-potassium ratio, sex, age, and body mass index. Women showed lower urinary sodium excretion, urinary potassium excretion, and sodium-to-potassium ratio compared with men. In multivariate analysis, male sex was associated with a higher sodium-to-potassium ratio (β = 0.221; p = 0.003), whereas BMI was not significantly associated with the outcome. Mean urinary sodium excretion exceeded WHO recommendations (<5 g NaCl/day) in both sexes, while urinary potassium excretion was below recommended values (≥3.5 g K/day). Sodium and potassium intake in the Ticino population were respectively above and below WHO recommendations, in line with Swiss and European literature. The sodium-to-potassium ratio appeared elevated in the studied population. Although male sex was associated with higher sodium-to-potassium ratios, the magnitude of the observed associations was modest. These findings support the importance of promoting dietary patterns characterized by lower consumption of processed sodium-rich foods and higher intake of fresh potassium-rich foods.