Latest news with #SharanMurali
Economic Times
a day ago
- Health
- Economic Times
New study finds how 'chutki bhar namak' is raising the risk of hypertension, stroke, heart and kidney diseases in India
Synopsis A recent study by ICMR-NIE reveals that Indians consume excessive salt, increasing the risk of hypertension and related diseases. To combat this, researchers have initiated a three-year project in Punjab and Telangana, promoting low-sodium salt substitutes and structured counseling to reduce salt intake and lower blood pressure levels, particularly among those with hypertension. Agencies Salt intake India People in India are consuming more salt than recommended, increasing their chances of hypertension, stroke, heart disease, and kidney problems. This was revealed by scientists from the Indian Council of Medical Research's (ICMR) National Institute of Epidemiology (NIE). They have started a study to reduce salt intake in communities and are promoting the use of low-sodium salt substitutes, a TOI report World Health Organisation advises eating less than 5 grams of salt per person per day. But according to research cited by the NIE scientists, people in urban India eat around 9.2 grams a day, and even in rural areas, the average is about 5.6 grams, both above the recommended limit. Dr Sharan Murali, senior scientist at NIE and the study's lead researcher, said replacing regular salt with low-sodium salt substitutes could help bring down blood pressure and improve heart health.'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 said.'Just switching to low-sodium salt can lower blood pressure by 7/4 mmHg on average, a small change with a big impact,' he added. To address the issue, NIE has started a three-year project in Punjab and Telangana. The aim is to measure how structured salt reduction counselling can help people with high blood pressure reduce both their salt intake and blood pressure Ganesh Kumar, another senior scientist at NIE who is involved in the study, confirmed the purpose of the project.
Time of India
2 days ago
- Health
- Time of India
India in grip of silent salt consumption epidemic: ICMR-NIE
Representative image NEW DELHI: Excessive salt consumption is fuelling a silent epidemic in India with people at increased risk of hypertension, stroke, heart disease, and kidney disorders, according to scientists from ICMR's National Institute of Epidemiology. The scientists have initiated a community-led salt reduction study to address the issue and are focusing on low-sodium salt substitutes. While the World Health Organisation recommends less than 5 grams of salt per person per day, studies show that urban Indians consume around 9.2 grams/day, and even in rural areas, it is around 5.6 grams/day - both higher than recommended. One promising tool in this effort is low-sodium salt substitutes -- 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, a small change with a big impact," Dr Murali said. To tackle the issue of high salt consumption, the NIE has launched a three-year intervention project in Punjab and Telangana, supported by the Indian Council of Medical Research. The goal is to evaluate the effectiveness of structured salt reduction counselling 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.
The Hindu
2 days ago
- Health
- The Hindu
ICMR says Indians taking too much salt, launches study to address issue
Excessive salt consumption is fuelling a silent epidemic in India with people at increased risk of hypertension, stroke, heart disease, and kidney disorders, according to scientists from ICMR's National Institute of Epidemiology. The scientists have initiated a community-led salt reduction study to address the issue and are focusing on low sodium salt substitutes. Higher levels of salt consumption than recommended While the World Health Organisation (WHO) recommends less than 5 grams of salt per person per day, studies show that urban Indians consume around 9.2 grams/day, and even in rural areas it is around 5.6 grams/day - both higher than recommended. One promising tool in this effort is low-sodium salt substitutes -- blends where part of the sodium chloride is replaced with potassium or magnesium salts, 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'a small change with a big impact," Dr Murali said. Salt consumption reduction projects To tackle the issue of high salt consumption, the NIE has launched a three-year intervention project in Punjab and Telangana, supported by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR). The goal 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. To ensure interventions are grounded in reality, the NIE conducted a market survey across 300 retail outlets in Chennai to assess the availability and pricing of low-sodium salt (LSS). They found that LSS was available in only 28 per cent of retail outlets. It was seen in 52 per cent of supermarkets, but a dismal 4 per cent in small grocery shops. The price of LSS averaged Rs 5.6 per 100g, 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 spark a public conversation around salt reduction, 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.
Time of India
2 days ago
- Health
- Time of India
ICMR says Indians taking too much salt, launches study to address issue
New Delhi: Excessive salt consumption is fuelling a silent epidemic in India with people at increased risk of hypertension , stroke, heart disease , and kidney disorders, according to scientists from ICMR 's National Institute of Epidemiology . The scientists have initiated a community-led salt reduction study to address the issue and are focusing on low sodium salt substitutes . While the World Health Organisation (WHO) recommends less than 5 grams of salt per person per day, studies show that urban Indians consume around 9.2 grams/day, and even in rural areas it is around 5.6 grams/day - both higher than recommended. One promising tool in this effort is low-sodium salt substitutes -- 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' a small change with a big impact," Dr Murali said. To tackle the issue of high salt consumption, the NIE has launched a three-year intervention project in Punjab and Telangana, supported by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR). The goal 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. To ensure interventions are grounded in reality, the NIE conducted a market survey across 300 retail outlets in Chennai to assess the availability and pricing of low-sodium salt (LSS). They found that LSS was available in only 28 per cent of retail outlets. It was seen in 52 per cent of supermarkets, but a dismal 4 per cent in small grocery shops. The price of LSS averaged Rs 5.6 per 100g, 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 spark a public conversation around salt reduction, 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. PTI
Mint
2 days ago
- Health
- Mint
Excess salt intake putting Indians at risk of heart disease, kidney disorders: ICMR study
Indians are eating far more salt than they should, putting millions at greater risk of hypertension, heart disease, stroke, and kidney disorders, according to a new study by scientists from the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR). While the World Health Organisation (WHO) recommends a daily salt intake of less than 5 grams per person, urban Indians are consuming around 9.2 grams a day, nearly double the advised limit. Even in rural areas, average consumption stands at 5.6 grams, still above the safe threshold. To tackle what experts are calling a 'silent epidemic,' researchers at ICMR's National Institute of Epidemiology (NIE) have launched a three-year salt reduction initiative in Punjab and Telangana. The project, supported by ICMR, aims to test the effectiveness of community-led dietary counselling in lowering sodium intake and improving heart health. 'Excess salt consumption is a major contributor to high blood pressure. Even a small shift—like switching to low-sodium salt—can lower blood pressure by 7/4 mmHg on average,' Dr Sharan Murali, senior scientist at NIE and principal investigator of the study, told news agency PTI. Low-sodium salt substitutes (LSS), where sodium chloride is partially replaced with potassium or magnesium, are emerging as a promising solution. But researchers warn that access and affordability remain significant barriers. A market survey of 300 retail outlets across Chennai found that LSS was available in just 28% of shops. While 52% of supermarkets stocked it, only 4% of small kirana stores did. Additionally, LSS is priced more than twice as high as regular iodised salt- ₹ 5.6 per 100g compared to ₹ 2.7. 'The low availability of LSS is likely due to poor demand, which reflects low awareness,' said Dr Murali. 'We need to bridge this gap between health knowledge and everyday access.' As part of the larger push, the NIE has launched a social media awareness campaign — #PinchForAChange — to educate people about the hidden salt in everyday foods and encourage the use of low-sodium alternatives. Dr Ganesh Kumar, a senior scientist at NIE and co-investigator of the study, added that the programme goes beyond just awareness. 'We're co-creating educational materials with frontline health workers, not just instructing but listening to the community. The idea is to make the intervention sustainable and rooted in real-world challenges.' If successful, the programme could be scaled nationwide, helping integrate salt-reduction counselling into existing public health systems.
