A new study conducted by American scientists at Harvard University has revealed that excessive salt consumption is extremely harmful to health. The study found that high salt intake is responsible for several million deaths each year. The researchers presented their findings at the American Heart Association Congress in New Orleans. The study showed that in 2010, high salt consumption was responsible for around 2.3 million deaths, which is approximately 15% of all deaths caused by cardiovascular diseases. The researchers took into account various other risk factors and analyzed data from 247 studies conducted in 50 countries on adult sodium intake.
The study found that the most significant source of sodium for humans is table salt, which is made up of sodium chloride. The researchers first analyzed the effects of sodium consumption on blood pressure and then determined how these differences in blood pressure affect the risk of cardiovascular diseases. With these results, the researchers were able to estimate the number of deaths caused by high salt consumption. The study also revealed that almost 40% of the 2.3 million deaths in 2012 were people under the age of 70, with two-thirds of them being male. Heart attacks were the leading cause of death, accounting for 42% of deaths, followed closely by strokes at 41%.
The researchers also found that around 99% of the world’s population consumes more salt than recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO). The WHO recommends a maximum of 2,000 milligrams of sodium per day, while the American Heart Association recommends only 1,500 milligrams of salt per day. The researchers suggest that a global campaign to reduce sodium intake could potentially save millions of lives. Gisela Olias, from the German Institute of Nutritional Research in Potsdam, pointed out that many processed foods also contain salt and contribute to increased salt intake.
In conclusion, the study highlights the dangers of excessive salt consumption and the need for a global campaign to reduce sodium intake. The findings suggest that reducing salt intake could potentially save millions of lives each year. It is essential to be aware of the salt content in processed foods and to make a conscious effort to reduce salt intake to maintain good health.
