Cutting Salt Intake Could Save 300,000 Lives in India: WHO Study
A new study by the World Health Organization (WHO) reveals a staggering statistic: If Indians reduced their salt intake to the recommended level, they could prevent an estimated 300,000 deaths from cardiovascular diseases (CVD) and chronic kidney disease (CKD) over the next decade.
Published in The Lancet Public Health, the study predicts significant health benefits and cost savings within the first 10 years. These benefits include averting 1.7 million CVD events (heart attacks and strokes) and 700,000 new CKD cases. It also projects savings of $800 million.
The average Indian currently consumes around 11 grams of salt per day, double the WHO’s recommended limit of less than 5 grams.
Simulating Sodium Reduction
The study focused on simulating the effects of a sodium reduction intervention for 25-year-olds in 2019. This simulation was conducted over various timeframes – 10 years, 25 years, and across an individual’s entire lifespan.
The results indicate that if adults in India adhered to WHO benchmarks, the average sodium intake could decrease by 138 mg per day in women and 184 mg per day in men after four years. This translates to a 21% reduction in sodium intake from packaged food for women and a 19% reduction for men. Overall, total daily sodium intake would decrease by 5% in women and 6% in men.
WHO’s Global Sodium Reduction Efforts
This study aligns with the WHO’s global goals to reduce population sodium intake by 30% by 2025. This is one of nine crucial targets recommended by the WHO for preventing and managing non-communicable diseases.
How Does India Consume Salt?
The primary source of sodium in India is discretionary salt used during cooking or at the table, accounting for over 80% of sodium intake, as per a 2014 report.
However, sodium intake from packaged foods is steadily increasing as India, like many other developing countries, undergoes a rapid nutritional transition. For example, sales of salty snacks have surged by 17% between 2011 and 2021. The market for ready-to-eat meals, often high in sodium, is projected to nearly triple from INR 32 billion in 2019 to INR 94 billion in 2025.
Apart from cooking, processed and ultra-processed foods, along with food accompaniments like salted butter, spice mixes, baking soda, baking powder, and MSG, contribute significantly to daily sodium intake.
Despite these consumption trends, India currently lacks a national sodium reduction strategy. To help more countries implement national sodium content targets, the WHO released global sodium benchmarks for 58 packaged food groups in 2021.
How High Salt Consumption Impacts Health
Prof. K Srinath Reddy, a leading cardiologist at the Public Health Foundation of India (PHFI), emphasizes that high sodium consumption is linked to elevated blood pressure, significantly increasing the risk of heart attacks, strokes, congestive heart failure, and kidney dysfunction.
**Take Charge of Your Health:** Educate yourself about sodium content in your diet and make informed choices. Look for low-sodium alternatives and prioritize fresh, whole foods.