Excessive salt consumption is driving a silent health crisis across India, increasing the population’s risk of hypertension, stroke, heart disease, and kidney disorders. Scientists from the Indian Council of Medical Research’s (ICMR) National Institute of Epidemiology (NIE) have raised the alarm and are actively working to address the issue.
Urban and Rural India Exceed WHO Salt Guidelines
As reported by TOI, the World Health Organization (WHO) recommends a daily salt intake of less than 5 grams per person. However, research shows that urban Indians consume approximately 9.2 grams of salt per day—nearly double the recommended amount. Even in rural areas, the average intake is 5.6 grams, still above safe limits.
Promoting Low-Sodium Salt Substitutes
In response, NIE scientists have launched a community-led salt reduction study that promotes the use of low-sodium salt substitutes. These blends replace part of the sodium chloride with potassium or magnesium salts.
“Reducing sodium intake helps lower blood pressure and supports better heart health,” said Dr. Sharan Murali, Senior Scientist at NIE and Principal Investigator of the study. “Even a simple switch to low-sodium salt can lower blood pressure by an average of 7/4 mmHg—a small change with a significant impact.”
Three-Year Intervention Project Underway
To tackle the salt problem at the grassroots level, NIE has launched a three-year intervention project in Punjab and Telangana. The initiative is supported by ICMR. The study aims to assess the effectiveness of structured salt reduction counselling. It focuses on lowering blood pressure and sodium consumption among individuals diagnosed with hypertension.
“Our goal is to create community awareness and offer practical guidance to help people make healthier choices,” explained Dr. Ganesh Kumar, Senior Scientist at NIE and co-investigator of the study.
A Step Toward Healthier Communities
The NIE team hopes to curb the rise of salt-related health conditions in India through education and behavioural interventions. They also promote low-sodium alternatives to help meet the WHO’s global sodium reduction targets.