Sodium Density and Blood Pressure in Athletes and Non-Athletes in Young Adulthood and Midlife

Researcher(s)

  • Jessica Nicolich, Nutritional Science, University of Delaware

Faculty Mentor(s)

  • Andrea Lobene, Cardiovascular Nutrition Research Laboratory, University of Delaware
  • Shannon Lennon, Cardiovascular Nutrition Research Laboratory, University of Delaware

Abstract

Dietary Sodium Density and Blood Pressure in Athletes and Non-Athletes in Young Adulthood and Midlife

Jessica Nicolich,1 Andrea Lobene,2 Kristina Davis,2 Lindsey Mirkes,3 Jacob J. Capin,3,4 Shannon L. Lennon2

1Department of Health Behavior and Nutrition Sciences, University of Delaware

2Department of Kinesiology and Applied Physiology, University of Delaware

3Department of Physical Therapy, Marquette University

4Clinical and Translational Science Institute, Medical College of Wisconsin

            The link between sodium and blood pressure (BP) is well-established. Current recommendations limit sodium intake to 2,300 mg/d, however meeting these recommendations may be challenging for individuals with greater energy needs. Studies suggest sodium density, the ratio of sodium to energy consumed, may better predict BP than absolute sodium intake. No studies have examined these relations in athletes, who have greater energy needs. To fill this gap, cross-sectional data were collected from healthy men and women stratified into three groups: young athletes ([YA], n=47, aged 21±2 y), young non-athletes ([YNA], n=26, aged 21±2 y), and midlife former athletes ([MFA], n=47, aged 51±7 y). Energy and nutrient intakes were assessed from 3-day dietary records analyzed with NDSR software. Anthropometric and BP measurements were collected along with a lipid panel from a venous blood draw. Group differences were assessed using one-way ANOVA with Tukey post-hoc tests. Associations between absolute sodium and sodium density and BP were assessed with Pearson correlations. Sodium and energy intake were positively correlated across all groups (all p<0.001) with YA having the highest absolute sodium (3813±1349 mg) and energy (2331±634 kcal) intakes. There was no difference in sodium density across groups. MFA had the highest systolic BP (131±20 mmHg), which was significantly different from YA (118±12 mmHg, p=0.002), but not significantly different from YNA (119±16 mmHg, p=0.998). Absolute sodium and SBP were positively correlated in YA (r=0.29, p=0.048); however, there was no correlation between sodium density and SBP (r=0.04, p=0.79). There were no correlations between absolute sodium or sodium density and BP in YNA or MFA. Our results highlight the importance of examining sodium in the context of energy intake as it relates to BP in populations with increased energy needs.

Funding: NIGMS (P20 GM103446), NIH (DP5 OD031833), AHA and VIVA Physicians (23POST1009835), NHLBI (R01 HL1245055), NIH (2UL1TR001436)