- Only 5% of WHO Member States are covered by laws requiring total sodium reduction.
- The WHO recommends less than 5 grammes of salt per day.
- The main danger factor for diet and nutrition-related deaths is eating too much salt.
We consume too much salt globally, which raises our chance of heart disease, stroke, and early death. According to WHO’s first global report on sodium intake reduction, the world is not on pace to meet its goal of reducing sodium consumption worldwide by 30% by 2025. Only 5% of WHO Member States are covered by laws requiring total sodium reduction, according to the report.
While sodium is a necessary nutrient for the body’s water and mineral equilibrium and is involved in nerve function, excessive consumption can increase the chance of many chronic diseases, which increases the likelihood of early mortality. Table salt (sodium chloride) is the primary source of sodium, but it can also be found in other seasonings like sodium glutamate. Fast food, chips, munchies, soups, processed meats, and instant noodles all contain sodium glutamate, which is detrimental to our health when consumed frequently.
The WHO recommends less than 5 grammes of salt per day, but the average salt intake worldwide is considered to be 10.8 grammes per day (one teaspoon). The main danger factor for diet and nutrition-related deaths is eating too much salt. The study also notes that more data are starting to show associations between high sodium intake and a higher risk of other diseases like obesity, osteoporosis, kidney disease, and gastric cancer.
“Unhealthy diets are a major cause of mortality and disease worldwide, and excessive sodium intake is one of the main culprits,” said Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the World Health Organization.
“This study demonstrates that the majority of nations have not yet enacted any laws requiring salt consumption reduction, putting their citizens at risk for heart attacks, strokes, and other illnesses. WHO requests that manufacturers adhere to the WHO benchmarks for sodium content in food and that all nations adopt the “Best Buys” for sodium reduction.
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