We know that consuming too much salt raises blood pressure, which can lead to heart problems. A new study has now set out this connection in clear, unambiguous terms in the form of a public health message.
Looking at health data for adults in China, the study’s authors estimate that a reduction of just 1 gram in daily salt intake would be enough to prevent 9 million cases of stroke and heart attack between now and 2030.
With the potential of 4 million of those cases being fatal, a simple measure like this could save a lot of lives.
In China, the average daily intake of salt is 11 grams, which is more than the 5 grams recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO). The researchers gathered the latest data on population size, salt consumption, blood pressure and disease rates.
“Previous estimates of the health impact of reducing salt intake in China used obsolete or otherwise unreliable data sources and did not account for the more prolonged effects of salt reduction on blood pressure over several years,” the researchers said. wrote in his published paper.
The team looked at two other scenarios in addition to the single gram drop: a reduction of 3.2 grams per day by 2025 (a 30 percent drop from the average), and reducing salt intake to the recommended 5 grams per day by 2030.
If those targets are hit, a projected reduction in systolic blood pressure could result in a doubling of heart disease-related deaths.
However, the researchers stress that the reduction will have to be persistent for many years. Education programs run in Chinese schools show that achieving that 1 gram per day goal for most of the population will not be too difficult.
“Other trials, on low-sodium high-potassium salt substitutes, health education for home cooks, and restaurant interventions are ongoing or have recently been completed, some of which have already shown promising results,” the researchers wrote. Is.
With urbanization in China, as well as a related increase in eating processed and takeaway foods, is believed to be one of the main contributing factors, cardiovascular disease accounts for 40 percent of deaths.
While the authors of this study only looked at a potential reduction in cases of heart disease, they suggest that reducing salt intake would have many other benefits as well. For example, too much salt has also been linked to certain types of cancer and various kidney problems.
The Chinese government has launched a Healthy China 2030 campaign to achieve its goal of a daily salt intake of only 5 grams. It won’t be easy with a population of 1.4 billion people, but the numbers produced in this study are compelling.
“A salt reduction program that is practical, consistent, sustainable and targeting current and upcoming major dietary sources of salt in China is urgently needed,” the researchers wrote.
research has been published in BMJ Nutrition, Prevention & Health,
(This story has not been edited by seemayo staff and is published from a rss feed)