WHO warns of salt intake 

Rashaed Esson

Staff Writer 

October 18, 2023 – “Eat less salt to reduce risk of heart disease and death,” was the call to action stated by the World Health Organization (WHO), as it warned the world populations to adopt healthier lifestyles, amid the ongoing non-communicable disease crisis.

It expressed that while sodium has its benefits like most it not all foods, given that it is necessary for maintenance of plasma volume, acid base balance, transmission of nerve impulses and normal cell function, consuming too much can be fatal.

Nearly all populations worldwide WHO says, as it delved into sodium intake in a September 14 article, are consuming too much salt, which is only adding to the already concerning non communicable disease crisis that has been going on for years.

The primary health issue associated with high sodium intake, the organization pointed out, is hypertension, more commonly known as high blood pressure, which leads to other major issues as it increases the risk of cardiovascular diseases, gastric cancer, obesity, osteoporosis, Meniere’s disease and kidney disease.

In providing statistics to refer to the alarming rate of sodium intake, WHO mentioned that the global mean for adults is 4310mg/day, more than double the organization’s recommendation for adults which is less than 2000mg/day.

Additionally, narrowing m the scope,  it says for an individual the average daily intake is 11g daily but the recommended is 5g.

However, the organization identified what it called evidence-based best buy interventions to help reduce general sodium intake,  lessening non communicable diseases overtime. 

There are 4 best buys for sodium reduction:

• the reformulation of food products to contain less salt and the setting of target levels for the amount of salt in foods and meals;
• the establishment of a supportive environment in public institutions such as hospitals, schools, workplaces and nursing homes to enable lower sodium options to be provided;
• the implementation of front-of-pack labelling; and
• a behavior change communication and mass media campaigns.

In continuation, WHO referred to how an individual can reduce their intake and it maintained that one must, eat mostly fresh and minimally processed food; cook with little to no salt and use herbs and spices to enhance food flavor instead; choose low sodium products, less than 120mg/100g; remove the salt shaker from the table and lessen use of commercial sauces, dressings and instant products.