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