TMSS Medical College Journal

Background: Bread has been identified as a major contributor to the excessive sodium (Na) intake of consumers in many countries of the world. High sodium intake is associated with high blood Pressure and therefore increases the risk of cardiovascular diseases. So, Na content of bread is one of the most common targets of initiatives to reduce Na intake worldwide. Objective: To determine the sodium (Na) content of white breads available in the markets of Dhaka city, Bangladesh. Materials and Methods: This is a cross-sectional study to determine the Na content of white bread available for sale in different markets in Dhaka city. Top selling 10 brands of white bread were identified through retailers’ self-report from selected retail outlets of the markets of Dhaka city. Four loaves of white bread from selected packaged brands were analyzed for determination of Na content per 100gm of bread. Flame photometry was used to determine the Na content of the bread. Results: Thirty white bread samples of 10 selected brands were analyzed. The Na content varied largely from 314.5 mg/100g to 625.9 mg/100g with significant differences between the brands (p<0.001), where the mean Na content was 503.1 mg/100g of bread. Seven brands had Na content above the maximum allowable level (<450 mg/100g) recommended by World Health Organization. Conclusions: There was significant variation of Na content in various white breads brands in Dhaka city. Majority of the white breads had Na content more than the maximum allowable level.

Currently, non-communicable diseases (NCDs), such as cardiovascular diseases (CVD), cancer, diabetes and chronic respiratory diseases are the leading cause of death and are responsible for 70% of deaths globally’. In Bangladesh, NCDs are estimated to account for 67% of total death annually and a large proportion of these deaths are due to CVD’. High Blood Pressure (BP) is the top most cause of disabilities in the world®. Excess dietary sodium (Na) is associated with high BP and increases the risk of CVD*. In Bangladesh, age adjusted prevalence of hypertension among adult aged 25 years or more was 21% according to World Health Organization (WHO) Currently, non-communicable diseases (NCDs), such as cardiovascular diseases (CVD), cancer, diabetes and chronic respiratory diseases are the leading cause of death and are responsible for 70% of deaths globally’. In Bangladesh, NCDs are estimated to account for 67% of total death annually and a large proportion of these deaths are due to CVD’. High Blood Pressure (BP) is the top most cause of disabilities in the world®. Excess dietary sodium (Na) is associated with high BP and increases the risk of CVD*. In Bangladesh, age adjusted prevalence of hypertension among adult aged 25 years or more was 21% according to World Health Organization (WHO)  women (8.5g/day)