Sodium content: comparison of conventional cereal bars labeling, light and diet and the importance of this information in the context of public health

Abstract

Introduction: Nowadays, the seeking for a healthier lifestyle is patent. As a result, people in general tend to search for food which combine health and convenience, such as cereal bars. Due to the increasing consumption of this industrialized food, it is essential that consumers read the nutrition facts written in its package labels in order to be aware of what he/she is really ingesting. Besides the knowledge that it is industrialized food which is sold in the types conventional, light and diet, it is important that consumers read the labels as a significant tool for health promotion as these kinds of food may contain sweeteners with sodium in its constitution. As the systemic arterial hypertension is currently the more prevalent pathology in Brazil, the mineral chosen in the present study, was Sodium. Objective: following objective: contrasting the amount of sodium in cereal bars concerning the types conventional, light and diet, based on their labels. Materials and Methods: The method used among the descriptive ones was the observational, and the collection of data is cross-sectional. It was analysed 19 cereal bar brands, totalizing 125 flavors. Results: Statistically speaking, there was not difference regarding the amount of sodium among the cereal bars analysed. Conclusion: However, it is important to note that persons with hypertension may also have diabetes, thus consuming diet food. Therefore, they have to read the labels of such products so that they may have the effective glycemic and blood pressure control.