It's soup season people! This is the time of year when we see a spike in soup sales... for good reason! Soup is warm, comforting, and certainly can be an extremely healthy and nourishing option. However, SO MANY of the available to consumers today contain sky-high levels of sodium. Sodium certainly has a purpose (we use it!). However, excess sodium can pose significant health risks. So, let's dive into the dangers of sodium overload in store-bought soups and show you how Soupergirl stacks up against another popular soup brand.

Why Is Sodium Used in Soups?

Sodium (commonly in the form of salt) is used in soups for several reasons:

• Flavor: Salt is used to bring out flavor in soups. However, salt shouldn't be a flavor you actually taste. Once you can taste the salt, you've added too much! Salt can also mask the blandness of highly processed ingredients.
• Preservation: Sodium acts as a preservative, extending the shelf life of products.
• Texture: In some cases, salt can help maintain the texture of ingredients, especially in canned or processed foods.

Salt is important! But too much can be quite harmful.

The Hidden Danger of Excessive Sodium

The recommended daily sodium intake for an average adult is around 2,300 mg (or about one teaspoon of salt). For individuals with certain health risks, such as high blood pressure, the ideal limit could be closer to only 1,500 mg. A single serving of MANY store-bought soups can contain anywhere from 600 to 1,200 mg of sodium!

Health Risks of Excess Sodium:

1. High Blood Pressure: Sodium causes the body to retain water, which can raise blood pressure. Over time, high blood pressure can damage blood vessels and strain the heart.
2. Increased Risk of Heart Disease and Stroke: High sodium intake is a significant risk factor for heart disease and stroke, two leading causes of death worldwide. Too much sodium in the diet contributes to the hardening and narrowing of arteries.
3. Kidney Damage: The kidneys are responsible for filtering excess sodium from the bloodstream. Over time, a diet high in sodium can overwhelm the kidneys, leading to reduced function or even kidney disease.
4. Bloating and Dehydration: Excess sodium causes your body to retain water, which can lead to bloating, dehydration, and discomfort.

Comparing Sodium Levels: Popular Soup Brand vs. Our Soups

To give you an idea of how much sodium may be lurking in many store-bought soups, let’s look at a popular brand:

Now, compare that to our soups, which are slow cooked, and handcrafted with fresh ingredients and significantly less sodium:

The difference is clear. While many store-bought soups deliver a sodium hit that could put your health at risk, our soups offer rich, satisfying flavors without going overboard on salt.

Check out this blind taste test between our Mediterranean Red Lentil and Panera's super sodium-laden Broccoli Cheddar.

Achieving Flavor Without Excess Sodium

At Soupergirl, we believe that flavor should come from high-quality, fresh ingredients—not an over-reliance on salt. Here’s how we keep our soups delicious and healthy:

1. Fresh Herbs and Spices: We use a variety of fresh herbs and spices instead of excess salt to add flavor to our soups.
2. Whole, Fresh Ingredients: By using fresh, nutrient-rich ingredients we are able to build complex, layered flavors that don’t need sodium to taste amazing.
3. Slow Cooking for Maximum Flavor: Our soups are slowly cooked, allowing the natural flavors of the ingredients to fully develop, resulting in a flavorful experience without the reliance on sodium.

Choosing a lower-sodium soup doesn’t have to mean compromising on flavor. We’re committed to delivering delicious, slow-cooked, hand crafted soups that are good for both your taste buds and your health.