One Major Side Effect of Eating Rotisserie Chicken, Says Science
It's hard to find a smell more enticing than the rotisserie chicken section at the grocery store. This way of eating chicken is a crowd favorite and for good reason. It's delicious and already prepared for you, so it really does make for a great option on days when you're not in the mood to cook.
Even though we love the taste and ease of rotisserie chicken, it doesn't come without its possible side effects. One major side effect of eating rotisserie chicken is that you might consume more sodium than usual, which could lead to spikes in your blood pressure or water retention.
How much sodium is in rotisserie chicken?
The sodium content in store-bought rotisserie chicken is going to vary depending on who sells it, but it is almost always way more than if you were to cook your chicken at home. According to a recent article from Consumer Reports, Costco and Sam's Club are among some of the worst choices for rotisserie chicken.
According to the report, Sam's Club rotisserie chicken is going to serve you 550 milligrams of sodium per three ounces. With Costco, you'll still consume 460 milligrams of sodium per serving. For reference, there are also 460 milligrams of sodium in a Popeye's fried chicken leg!
What does this mean for our bodies?
The FDA recommends no more than about 2,300 milligrams of sodium per day, which is about one tablespoon of salt. When our diet is extremely high in sodium, our bodies can retain more water and we can experience an increase in blood pressure.
At the bare minimum, water retention can be extremely uncomfortable and cause weight gain or swelling in certain parts of our body, like our hands and feet. However, if someone has prolonged water retention, the health risks can greatly increase. According to Circulation, having prolonged fluid retention can put you at higher risk for cardiovascular disease.
High sodium levels can also cause a spike in blood pressure. According to an article published in Pediatric Nephrology, there is a positive correlation between too much sodium in our diets and a rise in blood pressure. However, this does vary depending on an individual's salt sensitivity, which is determined by things like weight, genetics, and hormones.
It's important to pay attention to the amount of sodium we are getting in our diet every day, and that can include monitoring how much rotisserie chicken we consume. For a healthier but still delicious rotisserie option, try Whole Foods rotisserie chicken, which contains only 70 milligrams of sodium per serving!
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