Hyderabad: In the latest ‘WHO Global Report on Sodium Intake Reduction’ released by the World Health Organization (WHO), India is identified among the top 50 countries with excessive salt consumption. While the ideal intake is up to 5 grams per person daily, studies reveal consumption often exceeds 10 grams per day. “The primary health effect associated with diets high in sodium is raised blood pressure, increasing the risk of cardiovascular diseases, gastric cancer, obesity, osteoporosis, Meniere’s disease, and kidney disease,” the report stated. In Telugu states, where hypertension affects 1 in 4 people according to the National Family Health Survey, reducing salt intake is crucial. Dr Kiran Madhala, a medical expert, said, “Most people eat twice as much salt as the one teaspoon per day recommended by WHO, putting them at higher risk of heart disease. As much as 70% of that salt is hidden within processed foods and condiments.” This excessive intake often leads to patients frequently visiting doctors.“Once the high salt intake has affected the organs, the damage cannot be reversed. As a result, high blood pressure progresses to cardiovascular issues and kidney failure and cannot be reversed,” said Dr Praveen Kumar Kulkarni, an internal medicine specialist at KIMS hospital. The report emphasises that reducing sodium intake is one of the most cost-effective strategies to improve health and reduce the burden of non-communicable diseases. High salt consumption typically begins early in life, with children developing a preference for high-sodium foods. “In the last few years we have started asking mothers to initiate a sugar and salt-free diet for infants when the infant is off mother’s milk, in order to prevent the development of a liking towards high salt content foods. Also, in children with obesity or other health issues, high salt intake can result in hypertension. We see such cases often,” said Dr Preetam Kumar Reddy, a paediatric intensivist at Rainbow hospitals, adding that the consumption of packaged foods significantly contributes to high salt intake in children.
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