Are Indians consuming excess salt leading to increased risk of chronic diseases? ICMR launches study to address glaring issue

Time of India

2 days ago

Live Events
(You can now subscribe to our
(You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel
Excessive intake of salt has become the cause of increased risk of hypertension , stroke, heart disease and kidney disporders, scientists from National Institute of Epidemiology say.The scientists have launched a community-led salt reduction study to address the issue, focusing on low sodium salt substitutes Urban Indians consume close to double the World Health Organisation 's recommended level of 5 gram grams of salt per person per day. On an average a person in the urban areas consumes 9.2 grams of salt in a day, while a rural Indian has 5.6 grams/day, both higher than recommended.A tool used in the effort to decrease salt intake is low sodium salt substitutes. It constitutes of blends where part of the sodium chloride is replaced with potassium or magnesium salts, Dr Sharan Murali, a senior scientist at National Institute of Epidemiology (NIE) and principal investigator of the study, said."Lesser sodium consumption helps reduce blood pressure and improves overall heart health, making low-sodium alternatives a meaningful switch, especially for those with hypertension," Dr Murali stated."Just switching to low-sodium salt can lower blood pressure by 7/4 mmHg on average is a small change with a big impact," Dr Murali said.The NIE has launched a three-year intervention project in Punjab and Telangana to tackle the serious issue. It is being done with the support of the Indian Council of Medical Research ICMR ).The aim of the project is to evaluate the effectiveness of structured salt reduction counselling, delivered by health workers at Health and Wellness Centres (HWCs), in reducing blood pressure and sodium intake among individuals with hypertension, senior scientist at NIE, Dr Ganesh Kumar, who is also a part of the study, said."We are currently in the first year of the project, focused on baseline assessments and field preparations," Dr Kumar said."Counselling materials are not yet finalised; rather, we aim to co-create the intervention package with the community health workers, drawing on their experiences and incorporating their suggestions. It's not just about delivering health education, it's about listening, understanding, and building together," Dr Murali said.The NIE conducted a market survey across 300 retail outlets in Chennai to assess the availability and pricing of low-sodium salt (LSS) to ensure interventions are grounded in reality.The study found that LSS was available in only 28 per cent of retail outlets. It was seen in 52 per cent of supermarkets, but only in 4 per cent in small grocery shops.The price of LSS averaged Rs 5.6 per 100g, which is more than twice the price of normal iodised salt (Rs 2.7 per 100g).These findings highlight a critical supply-demand disconnect, Dr Murali said."The lower demand for low sodium salt might be leading to its lower availability - it's a proxy indicator of awareness and access," noted Dr. Murali.To raise more awareness, the NIE has also recently launched the #PinchForAChange campaign on Twitter and LinkedIn through ICMR-NIE.Using infographics, facts, and simple messages, the campaign aims to raise awareness about hidden salt sources, promote low-sodium alternatives, and empower individuals to make heart-healthy choices."If successful, this project could lead to the integration of sustainable dietary counselling models into the existing public health system . It can bridge the gap between knowledge and action, improve health literacy, and ultimately reduce the burden of hypertension-related diseases."This is not just about reducing salt. It's about restoring balance in our diets, our systems, and our hearts. Together, one pinch at a time, we can create lasting change," Dr Murali added.