WHO: Most countries have high salt intake which is linked with health risks

As per research salt consumption exceeds national and World Health Organization guidelines in most countries, but only the highest-sodium diets, such as in China, are linked to clear health risks. According to The Lancet, a medical journal, “Only individuals with a daily salt intake of at least 12.5 grams about two-and-a-half teaspoons were associated with increased blood pressure and a greater risk of stroke, they reported in.”


Lead author Andre Mente “We should be far more concerned about targeting communities and countries with high average sodium intake -- above five grams (equivalent to 12.5 grams of salt), such as China -- and bringing them down to the moderate range” of 7.5 to 12.5 grams of salt.”


The author further said, “Our study adds to growing evidence that, at moderate intake, sodium may have a beneficial role in cardiovascular health, but a potentially more harmful role when intake is very high or very low.”


Tom Sanders said, “There are no known mechanisms that could explain this observation. Sodium is an essential nutrient but the requirement is very low at about 0.5 grams (1.25 grams of salt) per day.”