Teaspoon less a day of salt key to proper intake: Food Authority
One teaspoon less salt a day could make a dramatic difference in the health of the nation, according to a report from the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI).
The study reveals that Irish people are consuming far too much salt. A maximum of four grams per day is recommended, but most people take in far in excess of that - up to 10 grams a day. The FSAI says it would be a huge leap forward if people could row back to six grams a day.
The report - Salt and Health: Review of the Scientific Evidence and Recommendations for Public Policy in Ireland - is the first comprehensive scientific evaluation of salt intake in Ireland.
It concludes that excessive salt intake is a major factor in the number of deaths from cardiovascular disease and stroke caused by high blood pressure and hypertension each year.
About 41% of all deaths in Ireland are from cardiovascular disease and more than 50% of the population over 50 years of age suffer from hypertension.
"Excessive levels of salt are considered a contributory factor and one teaspoon less of salt in the daily diet could have a positive influence on public health.," says the report.
Prof Albert Flynn, Chair of the FSAI said: "it is estimated that about 15-20% of total dietary sodium intake is from people adding salt during cooking or at the table. 15% is from naturally occurring sodium in unprocessed foods, and about 65-70% from manufactured foods.
"Two food groups, meat/fish (mainly processed meat) and bread, account for over 50% of sodium intake from foods, with the remainder contributed by various other processed foods.
"So with real and lasting salt reduction strategies targeting key foods and habits, reducing people's intake of salt is achievable."
SALT FACTS
· Salt effects blood pressure because it contains sodium in the form of sodium chloride
· Over 90% of sodium in the diet is in the form of sodium chloride (salt).
· 1 gram of sodium is equivalent to 2.5 grams of salt.
· There is a direct, independent casual link between high dietary salt intake and raised blood pressure.
· On average, Irish adults currently consume 10 grams of salt per day. This is double the recommended dietary allowance (RDA) of 4 grams per day.
