,Unhealthy diet is a leading cause of death and disease globallyAnd excessive sodium intake is one of the main culprits,” the World Health Organization (WHO)WHO) Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus declared.
first of its kind world health organization reports The reduction in sodium intake suggests that the world is off-track in achieving its global target of reducing sodium intake by 30 percent by 2025.
“This report shows that most countries are yet to adopt any mandatory sodium reduction policiesleaving our people at risk of heart attack, stroke and other health problems,” he said.
To reverse this trend, the global health agency is issuing a call all countries to implement plans for sodium reduction, and to manufacturers To set ambitious sodium reduction targets in its products.
top risk factors
A source of flavor, as well as armed conflict for millennia, sodium-rich salt is now becoming excessive consumption around the world To the detriment of overall health.
sodium, an essential nutrient, increased risk of heart disease, stroke and premature death On eating in excess.
The global average intake is estimated to be 10.8 grams per day, more than double the WHO recommendation At least 5 grams, or one teaspoon, daily. The main source of sodium is table salt (sodium chloride), but it is also found in other condiments such as sodium glutamate.
eating too much makes it the top risk factor for Diet and nutrition related deaths, More evidence is emerging documenting links between high sodium intake and an increased risk of other health conditions such as gastric cancerobesity, osteoporosis, and kidney disease,
lack of policy solutions
Only nine countries – Brazil, Chile, the Czech Republic, Lithuania, Malaysia, Mexico, Saudi Arabia, Spain and Uruguay – currently have a comprehensive package of recommended policies to reduce sodium intake. WHO report shows that only 5 percent of world population protected by mandatory sodium reduction policies And 73 percent of WHO’s 194 member states do not have the capacity to fully implement such policies.
Saving lives by introducing cost-effective sodium reduction policies is a critical component of action to achieve 2030 Agenda WHO said that for the sustainable development goal of reducing deaths from non-communicable diseases.
‘Best Buy’ Approach
A comprehensive approach to sodium reduction includes adoption of mandatory policies and WHO Four “Best Buy” Interventions Related to sodium, which contributes greatly to preventing non-communicable diseases.
it is included recovery foods to include less salt and setting public food procurement policies Limiting foods containing salt or sodium in institutions such as hospitals, schools and workplaces.
In addition, WHO recommends front-of-package labeling which helps consumers choose products with less sodium and in public and media awareness raising campaigns,
sodium ‘score card’
however, mandatory sodium reduction policies are more effective because they achieve broad coverage and protect against short-term business interests while providing a level-playing field for food manufacturers, WHO said. As part of the report, WHO developed a sodium country score card For member states based on the type and number of sodium reduction policies they have in place.
WHO’s efforts also include a partnership with Resolve to Save Lives, a non-profit organization working with countries to prevent 100 million deaths from heart disease over 30 years.
‘The world needs action’
The group’s president and CEO Tom Frieden, a former top US health official, said countries must act urgently to implement aspirational, imperative, government-led policies To meet the global target of reducing salt consumption by 2025.
He said innovations such as low-sodium salt, along with other proven measures, are among a set of tools the government can use. To help raise awareness, Resolve to Save Lives recently published a global nutrition Database for packaged foodswhich includes Data for 25 countries,
“The world needs action, and now, or many more people will experience disabling or fatal, but preventable, heart attacks and strokes,” he said.