Sunkist Offers Lemons as a ‘S’alternative’ Flavoring

To show consumers that they can lower their sodium consumption while still adding flavor to foods and beverages, Sunkist has introduced “S’alternative,” a health initiative with the aim of publicizing the use of fresh lemons as a natural alternative to salt. To that end, the grower’s S’alternative Recipe Contest encourages consumers to enter their own special recipes featuring Sunkist lemons in lieu of salt. All qualified entries will be featured on www.sunkistsalternative.com, and the grand-prize winner will receive a $1,000 grocery gift card.

Excessive sodium intake has been linked to such serious medical conditions as high blood pressure, which accounts for two-thirds of all strokes and half of all cases of heart disease; an elevated risk of stomach cancer; and osteoporosis in older women.

Further, a 2010 study headed by Kirsten Bibbins-Domingo, an epidemiologist and assistant professor of medicine at the University of California, San Francisco, found that if every American reduced daily sodium intake by 400 milligrams, 32,000 heart attacks, 20,000 strokes and 28,000 deaths could be prevented each year. Medical experts recommend reducing sodium intake and boosting potassium intake in order to promote optimum health.

Sherman Oaks, Calif.-based Sunkist notes that as well as providing great flavor, its lemons are an excellent source of vitamin C, an antioxidant that the body needs daily.