Context: Salt reduction in the diet is the most cost-effective measure to control non-communicable diseases. The World Health Organization had previously cautioned that the world is off track to achieve its global target of reducing salt intake by 30% by 2025.
The ill effects of excess salt
- A recent study from Sweden has shown a connection between salt consumption and atherosclerosis, even in the absence of hypertension.
- Atherosclerosis is a disease that blocks the blood vessels which can lead to heart attack.
- Every gram of extra sodium was associated with a 9% occurrence of plaques in the carotid arteries which supply blood to the brain; and a 17% increase in coronary artery plaques.
- According to a Cochrane review, higher salt in the diet in diabetic patients is associated with faster progression of kidney disease.
- A higher amount of salt intake can lead to hypertension.
- During the COVID-19 pandemic, notable studies from China and Germany pointed out the association between high salt intake and decreased immunity in the body.
- Salt reduction in the diet is the most cost-effective measure to control non-communicable diseases.
Efforts to reduce salt consumption
- The World Health Organization cautioned a couple of months ago that the world is off track to achieve its global target of reducing salt intake by 30% by 2025.
- The report shows that only 5% of the WHO member states have mandatory and comprehensive sodium-reducing policies.
- Additionally, seventy-three per cent of the WHO member states lack the full range implementation of the policies.
- The U.K. has been the leading country in the world to have reduced salt consumption in the population. Over the last decade, the salt content of bread has been brought down by 30%, without people being aware.
- The WHO has also established a scorecard for various countries. According to that card, India does not have a national policy but it does have voluntary measures to reduce sodium.
- Only persons with hypertension or kidney disease are advised by their physicians to reduce salt in their diet.
- The population is still unaware of the danger of hidden salt — salt present in ready-made and packed foods.