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We have work to do. Eating too much salt is killing 2 million people every year.

By on March 12, 2023

One in four adults today die from high blood pressure, warns WHO director, Department of Nutrition and Food Safety, Dr. Francesco Branca, renewing calls for reduced salt consumption.

Did you know that you should eat no more than 5 grams of salt a day?

A first-of-its-kind World Health Organization (WHO) Global report released the results of how much salt countries are consuming every year. WHO warns that the world is off-track to achieve its global target of a 30% reduction of consumption by 2025 in order to reduce the disease burden.

Dr. Branca adds that 80% of foods containing excessive salt comes from processed foods such as snacks, cheese, cured meats, etc. as well as eating restaurant food.

To avert an alarming number of cardiovascular deaths from eating too much salt, Dr. Branca urges the public to cut back and stick to the 5g-or-less-a-day rule.

Where to start –

Although training the taste buds to get accustomed to less salt in food can be challenging, Dr. Branca assures that that will take only a few weeks. Child nutritionists say it’s better to start putting less salt on children’s food as their taste preferences develop early in life. Here’s how to get started:

  1. Replace salt with flavor-enhancing seasonings such as lemon and fruits. Fruits and vegetables contain potassium which promotes healthy arteries.
  2. Buy salty foods less frequently.
  3. Replace your diet with foods that can be appetizing even with less salt.
  4. Be mindful of snacks you eat at home. A bag of potato chips for example contains half of the required daily intake.
  5. Eat home-cooked meals more often so you can adjust your intake.

 

 

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