Have You Heard About Salt Reduction Counseling?
Dr. Mili Bhatt
Recent Study by ICMR-National Institute of Epidemiology (ICMR-NIE)
A recent study by the ICMR-National Institute of Epidemiology (ICMR-NIE) found that the average daily salt consumption in both urban and rural areas of India has significantly exceeded the World Health Organization’s recommended limit of 5 grams per day.
Specifically, the average salt intake in urban areas extended to a whopping 9.2 grams per day, while in rural areas, it was 5.6 grams per day.
Commonly followed dietary habits by people
Now, honestly, how many of us actually track our daily salt intake? Sounds a bit crazy, right? I’m not talking about those disciplined individuals meticulously managing their diet for fitness – I salute them! But what about the rest of us, who still believe we’re perfectly healthy just by eating home-cooked meals? And those of us who happily enjoy burgers, pizza, pasta, Maggi, delicious North Indian restaurant food, pakoras, and more?
For us, this news might be a bit of a wake-up call. While research on the dangers of high salt intake has been widely published, the solution I’m about to share is something I’m hearing for the first time.
Steps Taken by ICMR-National Institute of Epidemiology (ICMR-NIE)
“Excess sodium intake significantly increases the risk of hypertension, stroke, heart disease, and kidney disorders, making salt reduction a national priority,” stated Dr. Sharan Mrunali, Principal Investigator of ICMR-NIE. And the efforts don’t stop there. In response, ICMR-NIE has launched a three-year intervention project in Punjab and Telangana. This initiative will provide salt reduction counseling and assess its effectiveness in lowering blood pressure and sodium consumption in individuals.
The study also highlighted that low-sodium salt can be effective, potentially lowering blood pressure by 7/4 mmHg on average. However, a market survey in Chennai revealed that this low-sodium alternative is only available in 28% of retail outlets and costs more than double the price of regular salt. To further raise awareness, ICMR-NIE has launched the #PinchForAChange campaign on Twitter and LinkedIn.
Read more: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/one-pinch-at-a-time-icmr-flags-high-salt-intake-in-india-as-major-health-risk-urban-consumption-nearly-double-who-limit/articleshow/122417784.cms