US Ponders Populationwide Salt-reduction Policies

US Ponders Populationwide Salt-reduction Policies: In most developed countries, more than 75% of the salt consumed comes from processed foods. The WHO advises that adults consume no more than 5g per day. The average consumption of salt in most Western countries currently stands at around 9g to 12g a day. In Finland, there was a similar drive to reduce salt intake in the entire population. They educated the public and worked closely with the food industry to develop reduced-salt products and over 30 years, salt intake there fell by a third. This was accompanied by a fall of more than 10 mm Hg in both systolic and diastolic BP and a remarkable 75% to 80% reduction in stroke and CHD mortality, and a five- to six-year increase in life expectancy. See this week’s Item #10.