We often receive questions about the role of sodium in the diet. It surprises people to know that dietary sodium actually has an important role in maintaining health. Sodium is an essential mineral or micronutrient which along with potassium helps to regulate the body’s fluid balance.  However, when consumed in excess (as sodium chloride or common salt), it can raise blood pressure and contribute to death and disability from heart disease and stroke. A recent report from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) shows that 9 out of 10 Americans exceed the limit recommended for daily sodium intake. In fact, for the group of Americans whom a lower dietary intake of sodium is important, the amount of sodium consumed was more than double the recommended limit. The CDC report also showed that only 9.6% of U.S. adults were below the recommended dietary limit of 2,300... Read more

George Mensah is currently Director, Heart Health and Global Health Policy at PepsiCo. His role on the R&D team is focused on the company’s initiatives to promote heart health around the world. George came to PepsiCo from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta and today, the Atlanta Journal Constitution caught up with George to find out a little more about his transition to PepsiCo and how he sees the company’s role in global public health efforts. See the link below for more details, and if you have any questions for George please post them in the comments section: Atlanta Journal Constitution: Whatever happened to… George Mensah? Read more

The observance of World Hypertension Day provides a unique opportunity to raise awareness about hypertension, commonly known as high blood pressure (HBP).  This condition is often called a “silent killer” because many people who succumb to its complications often do not even know they have it.  An estimated 1.5 billion people in the world have HBP and about 7 million people die every year as a result.  Other than advancing age, HBP is the most powerful risk factor for stroke, heart attack, heart failure, and it is second only to diabetes as the leading cause of end-stage kidney failure.  Knowing your blood pressure is important because most complications can be prevented if high blood pressure is detected early, treated, and controlled. When your blood pressure is measured you will be given two numbers (for example, 120/80). If your first number is always less than 120 and the second... Read more

As the different activities during American Heart Month come to a close this week, it is important to remind all of us what PepsiCo is doing to promote heart health and help reduce the burden of heart disease and its risk factors. As many of you know, heart disease is the leading cause of death for both men and women in the United States. It is also a major cause of disability, reduced quality of life, and rising health care costs. It is now well-recognized that poor nutrition and physical inactivity are some of the most important factors that contribute to poor health. At PepsiCo, we are on a journey to transform our portfolio of products to support our consumers in their effort to reduce their risk of heart disease and promote overall well-being. We recognize that specific changes in food industry practices can favorably impact diet and nutrition,... Read more