Abstract Objective: To determine the sodium concentration in cow milk available for sale and to estimate its consumption by infants up to 6 months of age. Methods: Sodium level was determined by flame emission spectrophotometry in eight different lots of five brands of liquid ultra-high temperature milk and three brands of powdered milk. To estimate sodium consumption via cow milk, orientations for exceptional situations when neither breastfeeding nor infant formula is possible were considered. Inferential statistics were performed and results were compared with critical parameters at a 5% significance level. Results: The mean sodium content per portion found in liquid milk (162.5 ± 16.2) mg/200 mL was higher than that in powdered milk (116.8 ± 3.0) mg/26 g. Estimated sodium consumption by infants through powdered milk varied from 149.8 to 224.7% of adequate intake, and via liquid milk can be more than 500% of the adequate intake, reaching 812.4% of it if dilution is not applied. Seven of the eight brands of milk studied had declared, on their labels, that the sodium content was 13-30% lower than that found in chemical analysis. Conclusion: Liquid and powdered whole cow milk have high sodium content, and the content per portion is higher in liquid milk than in powdered milk. The estimated consumption of sodium through these products can far exceed the adequate intake for infants from 0 to 6 months old, even when the recommended dilution and maximum daily volumes are followed.

Resumo O baixo consumo de cálcio e elevado de sódio por adolescentes configura um sério problema de saúde pública. A biodisponibilidade e o teor de cálcio contido no leite fazem dele a melhor opção no atendimento a Ingestão Dietética Recomendada (IDR) desse nutriente. Como o leite pode contribuir para a ingestão de sódio, a realização de programas que visem aumentar o seu consumo deve ser precedida de ações para diminuir o teor de sódio nele presente. O conhecimento dos teores de cálcio e sódio presentes nos leites industrializados é fundamental para que se estabeleça a quantidade adequada a ser consumida. O estudo realizado visou quantificar o cálcio e o sódio de leites em pó e ultrapasteurizados comercializados em supermercados da cidade do Rio de Janeiro e estimar a quantidade a ser consumida para atingir as necessidades diárias de cálcio e o impacto sobre a ingestão de sódio. O cálcio foi quantificado por volumetria e o sódio por fotometria de chama. Os teores médios de cálcio e sódio do leite em pó (mg/26g) foram, respectivamente, 262,5 ± 5,1mg e 116,8 ± 3,1mg, e do leite ultrapasteurizado (mg/200mL) foram, respectivamente, 246,0 ± 10,3mg e 162,5 ± 16,3mg. Para atingir a IDR do cálcio, pelo consumo de leite, os adolescentes consumiriam 584mg de sódio pelo leite em pó (39% da IDR) e 812,5mg pelo ultrapasteurizado (54% da IDR).

Abstract Low calcium consumption and high sodium intake among adolescents is a serious public health problem. Thehigh content and bioavailability of calcium in milk makes it the best choice for meeting the Dietary Reference Intakes (DRIs) for calcium. Since milk also contributes to sodium intake, programs promoting milk consumption should be preceded by initiatives to reduce its sodium content. Knowing the calcium and sodium content of processed milk is essential for establishing the adequate consumption of milk. The aim of this study was to estimate the calcium and sodium content of different brands of powdered and ultra heat treated (UHT) milk sold in supermarkets in Rio de Janeiro and calculate the amount of these milks that should be consumed by adolescents to meet daily calcium needs and the impact of this consumption on sodium intake. Volumetric analysis was used to measure calcium content and sodium content was determined using flame photometry. The mean calcium and sodium concentrations of powdered (mg/26g) and UHT milk (mg/200ml) were 262.5 ± 5.1 mg and 116.8 ± 3.1 mg and 246.0 ± 10.3 mg and 162.5 ± 16.3 mg, respectively. Milk intake sufficient to meet the DRI for calcium among adolescents would result in a sodium intake of 584 mg (39% of the AI) from the consumption of powdered milk and 812.5 mg (54% of the AI) from the consumption of UHT milk.

Resumo O baixo consumo de cálcio e elevado de sódio por adolescentes configura um sério problema de saúde pública. A biodisponibilidade e o teor de cálcio contido no leite fazem dele a melhor opção no atendimento a Ingestão Dietética Recomendada (IDR) desse nutriente. Como o leite pode contribuir para a ingestão de sódio, a realização de programas que visem aumentar o seu consumo deve ser precedida de ações para diminuir o teor de sódio nele presente. O conhecimento dos teores de cálcio e sódio presentes nos leites industrializados é fundamental para que se estabeleça a quantidade adequada a ser consumida. O estudo realizado visou quantificar o cálcio e o sódio de leites em pó e ultrapasteurizados comercializados em supermercados da cidade do Rio de Janeiro e estimar a quantidade a ser consumida para atingir as necessidades diárias de cálcio e o impacto sobre a ingestão de sódio. O cálcio foi quantificado por volumetria e o sódio por fotometria de chama. Os teores médios de cálcio e sódio do leite em pó (mg/26g) foram, respectivamente, 262,5 ± 5,1mg e 116,8 ± 3,1mg, e do leite ultrapasteurizado (mg/200mL) foram, respectivamente, 246,0 ± 10,3mg e 162,5 ± 16,3mg. Para atingir a IDR do cálcio, pelo consumo de leite, os adolescentes consumiriam 584mg de sódio pelo leite em pó (39% da IDR) e 812,5mg pelo ultrapasteurizado (54% da IDR).

Abstract Low calcium consumption and high sodium intake among adolescents is a serious public health problem. Thehigh content and bioavailability of calcium in milk makes it the best choice for meeting the Dietary Reference Intakes (DRIs) for calcium. Since milk also contributes to sodium intake, programs promoting milk consumption should be preceded by initiatives to reduce its sodium content. Knowing the calcium and sodium content of processed milk is essential for establishing the adequate consumption of milk. The aim of this study was to estimate the calcium and sodium content of different brands of powdered and ultra heat treated (UHT) milk sold in supermarkets in Rio de Janeiro and calculate the amount of these milks that should be consumed by adolescents to meet daily calcium needs and the impact of this consumption on sodium intake. Volumetric analysis was used to measure calcium content and sodium content was determined using flame photometry. The mean calcium and sodium concentrations of powdered (mg/26g) and UHT milk (mg/200ml) were 262.5 ± 5.1 mg and 116.8 ± 3.1 mg and 246.0 ± 10.3 mg and 162.5 ± 16.3 mg, respectively. Milk intake sufficient to meet the DRI for calcium among adolescents would result in a sodium intake of 584 mg (39% of the AI) from the consumption of powdered milk and 812.5 mg (54% of the AI) from the consumption of UHT milk.