Expert warns against excessive intake of salt
Eating too much salt could increase one’s chances of contracting ailment like cardiovascular disease, hypertension or raised blood pressure, experts have warned.
Renowned cardiologists who would be attending the World Congress of cardiology revealed that out of 17.3 million cardiovascular related deaths each year, over half of them - 9.4 million - are linked to hypertension.
The World Health Organization (WHO) however has recommended that adults should have no more than 5grams of salt a day - less than one full teaspoon.
In most countries, the average person consumes between 9 and 12g a day.
The World Congress of Cardiology will convene leading experts across the world in Melbourne, Australia from 4 - 7 May to debate and present the latest findings in heart health.
Salt consumption is one of the major topics to be discussed with emphasis on the importance of national targets to reduce premature mortality related to cardiovascular disease (CVD), such as dietary salt guidelines.
A statement released by the organisers of the conference, entitled, the war on salt, noted that, “the majority of salt we eat is already in our food, with an estimated 75% of our salt intake in everyday processed foods such as bread, breakfast cereal and processed meats.”
It said that if people were aware of how much salt was hidden in foods and adhered to the current salt intake guidelines, more than 2.5 million deaths could be prevented each year.