Teor de sódio de suplementos alimentares proteicos: uma análise da rotulagem

Abstract

Supplementation companies have put in their formulas a variety of vitamins and minerals, with allegation of performance improvement. Among these, we have sodium that has important metabolic functions in the practice of physical activity. However, its excessive consumption is closely related to chronic noncommunicable diseases. The objective of this research was to verify the sodium concentrations in protein dietary supplements from the nutritional information of the labels. It is a quantitative, exploratory and descriptive study. It were evaluated 58 protein supplements labels for athletes regarding sodium contents, establishing a standard portion of 30 grams for the analyzes. The most of the supplement samples were Whey Protein Mix (47%; n = 27). There was no uniformity of sodium contents added to protein supplements, in which 57% (n = 33) had a sodium content in the range from 51 to 100 mg per serving, 24.1% (n = 14) and 3.4% (n = 2) were in the range of 101 to 150 mg and 251 to 300 mg, respectively. Considering the daily recommendation of mineral intake (2,000 mg), the intake of supplements with high concentrations for prolonged periods is worrisome, which is aggravated by consumption higher than the recommended portion in the packaging and association of use with other supplements. Thus, it was concluded that it is interesting to implement measures that stipulate the minimum and maximum quantities of this nutrient in the supplements, for standardization in the formulation of this type of product; besides stimulating the conscious use of these, by means of prudent and adequate prescription by a qualified professional.As empresas de suplementação têm colocado em suas fórmulas uma variedade de vitaminas e minerais, com alegação de melhora do desempenho. Dentre estes, tem-se o sódio que possui funções metabólicas importantes na prática da atividade física. Contudo, o seu consumo excessivo tem estreita relação com as doenças crônicas não transmissíveis. O objetivo desta pesquisa foi verificar as concentrações de sódio em suplementos alimentares proteicos a partir das informações nutricionais dos rótulos. Trata-se de um estudo quantitativo, exploratório e descritivo. Foram avaliados 58 rótulos de suplementos proteicos para atletas quanto aos conteúdos de sódio, estabelecendo-se uma porção padrão de 30 gramas para as análises. A maioria das amostras de suplementos eram Mix de Whey Proteins (47%; n=27). Não houve uniformidade dos teores de sódio adicionados aos suplementos proteicos, no qual 57% (n=33) apresentaram um teor de sódio na faixa de 51 a 100 mg por porção, 24,1% (n=14) e 3,4% (n=2) apresentaram-se na faixa de 101 a 150 mg e 251 a 300 mg, respectivamente. Considerando a recomendação diária de ingestão do mineral (2.000 mg), a ingestão de suplementos com concentrações elevadas por períodos prolongados é preocupante, o que é agravado pelo consumo superior à porção recomendada na embalagem e associação de uso com outros suplementos. Assim, concluiu-se que é interessante a implementação de medidas que estipulem as quantidades mínimas e máximas desse nutriente nos suplementos, para padronização na formulação desse tipo de produto; além de estimular o uso consciente destes, por meio de prescrição cautelosa e adequada por profissional capacitado. ABSTRACT Sodium content of protein food supplements: a labeling analysisSupplementation companies have put in their formulas a variety of vitamins and minerals, with allegation of performance improvement. Among these, we have sodium that has important metabolic functions in the practice of physical activity. However, its excessive consumption is closely related to chronic noncommunicable diseases. The objective of this research was to verify the sodium concentrations in protein dietary supplements from the nutritional information of the labels. It is a quantitative, exploratory and descriptive study. It were evaluated 58 protein supplements labels for athletes regarding sodium contents, establishing a standard portion of 30 grams for the analyzes. The most of the supplement samples were Whey Protein Mix (47%; n = 27). There was no uniformity of sodium contents added to protein supplements, in which 57% (n = 33) had a sodium content in the range from 51 to 100 mg per serving, 24.1% (n = 14) and 3.4% (n = 2) were in the range of 101 to 150 mg and 251 to 300 mg, respectively. Considering the daily recommendation of mineral intake (2,000 mg), the intake of supplements with high concentrations for prolonged periods is worrisome, which is aggravated by consumption higher than the recommended portion in the packaging and association of use with other supplements. Thus, it was concluded that it is interesting to implement measures that stipulate the minimum and maximum quantities of this nutrient in the supplements, for standardization in the formulation of this type of product; besides stimulating the conscious use of these, by means of prudent and adequate prescription by a qualified professional