The World Health Organization (WHO) says it is, and they urge countries to strengthen processes to reduce salt intake. They state that there could be 7 million deaths throughout the world by 2030 as a result of “excessive salt intake.”
The WHO shared this concern in a report released on March 9, 2023. They pointed out that high salt intake increases the “risk of heart disease, stroke, gastric (stomach) cancer, obesity, osteoporosis (thinning of bones), kidney disease, and premature death.”
Table salt is chemically sodium chloride and is often referred to in foods simply as sodium. So, the WHO urges people to decrease sodium in their diet. They recommend checking the sodium content of food listed on the container. The WHO is urging countries to require food companies to print the sodium content in foods more clearly including placing it on the front of food packages.
The recommended salt intake by an adult should be less than 5 grams per day. However, the global average intake is estimated to be 10.8 grams per day. The WHO urges people to reduce the amount of salty foods they consume.
Peter M. Hartmann, MD
Family Medicine & Psychiatry
