Salt: A taste of death?

started in 2003 led to a 15% reduction in salt intake during the next eight years and other countries like Finland, Portugal, and Japan have had similar results [10]. American recommendations advise less than 5.8 g/day of salt and even lower for those at higher risk of CVD. The average consumption among US adults is 10.4 g/day for men and 7.3 g/day for women. It has been estimated that a population-wide reduction in dietary salt of up to 3 g/day will signifi cantly reduce the incidence of coronary heart diseases, stroke, and myocardial infarction. Furthermore, the cardiovascular benefi ts of reduced salt intake could be similar to the health benefi ts of smoking cessation and equal to the results of a population-wide reduction in obesity and cholesterol levels [11]. In Denmark, men consume on average 7 – 11 g of salt per day and women 7 – 8 g/day. The Danish Committee for Health Education has therefore emphasized the importance of reducing the salt intake among the general public and particularly among those with high blood pressure. Additionally, an easy-to-read brochure for the general public has been created (Spis mad med mindre salt) [12]. In Sweden, the average salt intake per person per day is between 10 and 12 g/per day despite the fact that the National Food Agency (livsmedelverket) recommends below 6 g/day. The Swedish Council on Health Technology Assessment in March 2014 published a summary on the effect of high salt intake on blood pressure [13]. In Iceland, the average salt intake has reduced by 5% between 2002 and 2011. Women consume on average 6.5 g/day of salt and men 9.5 g/day. However, this still is well above the general recommendations given by the Icelandic Directorate of Health, i.e. below 7 g of salt per day for men and 6 g/per day for women. It is estimated that about 80% of dietary salt comes from processed food and 15 – 20% from salt added when cooking or during consumption. Thus a diet low in processed food and high in fresh fruits and vegetables should be low in salt. To reduce dietary intake of salt a comprehensive approach is needed, involving health policy-makers by setting regulations on the salt content of foods and labeling processed Salt is vital for all life but too much consumption of salt is detrimental for health. This fact has been known for a long …