Association of beverage intake with urinary Na and K excretion among Korean young adults

Objective: Some evidence has suggested that beverage consumption may be associated with dietary sodium (Na) and potassium (K) intake. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between beverage consumption and urinary Na and K excretion among Korean young adults, who have the highest beverage intake. Materials and methods: This cross-sectional study analyzed data from 256 healthy adults aged 20 - 39 years in South Korea. Participants' beverage intake was assessed using 24-hour dietary recall interviews. In addition, 24-hour urinary Na and K excretion values were analyzed from collected 24 hour urine samples. Dietary surveys and 24 hour urine collections were repeated 3 days later. Results: The total daily beverage intake of the young adults was 370.4 g: 117.2 g for alcoholic beverages, 96.6 g for caffeinated beverages, 80.4 g for milk beverages, and 76.0 g for sweet beverages. The urinary Na/K excretion of sugary-beverage consumers was significantly higher than that of non consumers (p < 0.01). Total beverage intake was not correlated with urinary Na and K excretion. However, the consumption of milk beverages with regard to total subjects and caffeinated beverages in male subjects were significantly and negatively correlated with urinary Na/K excretion (p < 0.01, p < 0.05). Conclusion: In Korean young adults, while total beverage intake was not associated with urinary Na and K excretion, milk beverage consumption and caffeine-containing beverage consumption were negatively associated with urinary Na/K excretion.