The largest number of diet-related deaths, nearly 1.89 million each year, is due to excessive consumption of sodium. WHO recommended sodium intake reduction may save over two million deaths by 2025 and seven million by 2030.
We consume SALT double the amount WHO recommends
GLOBAL REPORT ON SODIUM INTAKE REDUCTION
Seven million people could die of diseases linked to excessive salt consumption by 2030 unless governments immediately pass tighter restrictions. GLOBAL REPORT ON SODIUM INTAKE REDUCTION report warns.
We can reduce sodium intake just by adding less salt to the food we prepare and buying foods that contain less sodium. Further, governments need to implement stricter policies for producers to mark salt content more clearly on packaged food. Boosting public awareness about the health dangers due to eating a lot of salty food is required.
Consume less Salt, Reduce Cardio Vascular disease
Sodium reduction plays a key role in protecting populations from the burden of cardiovascular disease. Which is the number one cause of death and disability globally. The evidence is clear: the more sodium we consume the more our blood pressure rises.
We consume salt double the WHO recommends
On average, we consume over 4 mg of sodium every day, which is double the amount WHO recommends. In 2013 all 194 WHO Member States committed to reducing sodium intake by 30% by the year 2025. Since then, progress has been slow, Only a few countries have been able to reduce population sodium intake. Now the target is 2030.
The global average sodium intake is estimated to be 10.78 g of salt per day. Which is more than double the WHO recommendation of less than 5g of salt per day in adults.
The global average sodium intake is estimated to be 10.78 g of salt per day. Which is more than double the WHO recommendation of less than 5g of salt
The global burden of unhealthy diets constitutes major public health challenges worldwide. Urgent action is required to modify the production and consumption of foods and beverages, including pre-packaged food.
Rapid implementation of Sodium reduction policies to attain target by 2030
As of October 2022, only 5% of Member States have implemented at least two mandatory sodium reduction policies. A further 22% of Member States have implemented at least one mandatory policy or measure. While 29% that is 56 countries have made a policy commitment towards sodium reduction. Achieving the target can still be considered attainable with the rapid implementation of mandatory sodium reduction policies and other measures.
India’s Salt Consumption: Country score 2
Indians on average consume 3873 mg sodium per day which equals 9.8gram salt per day. This is in excess which posts India’s position in the deep yellow zone on the WHO’s salt intake color scale. In the South-East Asia Region, no Member State has reached a score of 4.
Indians on average consume 3873 mg sodium per day which equals 9.8gram salt per day.
Indonesia, Sri Lanka, and Thailand have implemented mandatory policies for sodium reduction as well as a mandatory declaration of sodium on pre-packaged food, and so have reached a score of 3.
Bangladesh and India have a mandatory declaration of sodium on pre-packaged food but no other mandatory measure and so remain in score 2.
