Namak Swad Anusaar: How India's Love for Salt Is Fueling a Silent Hypertension Epidemic

Time of India

a day ago

New Delhi: Salt is an essential ingredient in every Indian kitchen, but when consumed in excess, it becomes a silent and deadly contributor to one of India's gravest public health crises—hypertension and cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). The numbers are alarming and the need for action is urgent.
Globally, high blood pressure accounts for over 50 per cent of cardiovascular-related deaths. In India, the picture is equally grim. An estimated 220 million Indians live with hypertension, a major risk factor for strokes, heart attacks, and kidney disease. The common culprit fuelling this epidemic is excessive salt consumption.
Seeing India's silent salt epidemic and the country's urgent need for a robust policy framework on salt reduction, a high-powered panel of medical experts gathered today for a discussion titled "Hidden in Plain Sight: Focussing on Salt in HFSS Diets to Bolster India's Fight Against NCDs" organised by Partnerships for Impact (P4i).
India's national average salt intake stands at 8–11 grams per day, nearly double the World Health Organization's (WHO) recommended limit of less than 5 grams per day. This overconsumption contributes to 175,000 deaths annually in India alone due to hypertension-related complications. Home-cooked food accounts for 80 per cent of this salt intake, but processed foods and snacks are a growing concern.
Dr. Vijay Kher, chairman at Epitome Kidney & Urology Institute and Lions Hospital, highlighted a key reason salt has flown under the radar: India's early health priorities centered on communicable diseases, malnutrition, and later diabetes and cholesterol. Salt simply hasn't commanded the attention it deserves—despite its significant impact on hypertension and kidney health. Dr. Kher emphasized how physicians themselves often overlook hidden salt in everyday foods like bread and packaged 'healthy' products—and too rarely pressure health authorities to act.
The consequences of unchecked salt consumption extend beyond health. Non-communicable diseases driven by high salt intake, like CVDs, diabetes, and kidney failure, are estimated to cost India over $2 trillion in economic losses between 2012 and 2030. Reducing salt is not just about individual choices—it's about securing the country's health and economy.
Nearly 7 crore adolescents in India already have high blood pressure, putting them at seven times higher risk of developing hypertension as adults. Research indicates that dietary habits formed in childhood—particularly excessive sodium intake—can hardwire long-term health risks. Shockingly, children who consume high-sodium diets are 40 per cent more likely to develop elevated blood pressure, setting the stage for heart disease later in life.
Dr. Chandrakant Lahariya, founder-director of the Foundation for People-Centric Health Systems, traced India's high-salt culture back to history—where salt was once vital not just as a flavoring but as a preservative. Over time, the addition of processed and packaged foods has driven average consumption well above needed levels. He stressed that habitual exposure to excess salt dulls our taste buds, creating intergenerational cycles that call for household-level interventions, including early education and conscious cooking practices.
Public education is equally critical. Targeted behaviour change campaigns (BCC) must address myths about salt, promote feasible salt reduction strategies at home, and normalize the use of low-sodium alternatives. Ritika Samaddar, Chief Clinical Nutritionist, Max Healthcare, tackled misconceptions around 'pink' or 'sea' salts—pointing out that their sodium content is essentially identical to standard iodized salt. She emphasized the importance of low-sodium iodized salt and highlighted the widespread confusion caused by labeling that only lists sodium.
Global Lessons
Countries like the UK, Chile, and Mexico have successfully implemented FOPL, taxation policies, and regulatory restrictions to drive salt reduction. Evidence shows that every USD 1 invested in salt reduction returns up to USD 17 in healthcare savings and productivity gains.
Salt may be small, but its impact is massive. India's salt reduction strategy must now move from policy papers to community kitchens, from government dashboards to dining tables. With small and health-conscious actions—from food manufacturers and policymakers to families and schools—India can turn the tide on its salt-fueled NCD crisis and pave the way for a healthier, stronger future.