SOUTH Africa passed world-leading legislation to reduce salt intake, fully supported by the Heart and Stroke Foundation South Africa (HSFSA) and World Action on Salt and Health (WASH). Despite this, many South African continue to consume too much salt, putting themselves at risk of heart disease and strokes. The Salt Awareness Week starts from 20-26 March.
Excess salt intake directly increases blood pressure in most people, and exacerbates high blood pressure in people who already have this condition.
Prof Naidoo, CEO of the Heart and Stroke Foundation South Africa (HSFSA) says: “High blood pressure is not only caused by high salt intake. Factors such as genetics, obesity, fruit and vegetable intake, stress, smoking and a lack of exercise all contribute.”
“However, reducing salt intake is a safe, affordable and effective strategy to reduce high blood pressure or avoid developing high blood pressure.”
Salt Awareness Week 2017 is here!
Let’s all shake the habit of too much salt @UnileverSA @Dischem @YourWellnessZA @ncd_sa @HealthZA pic.twitter.com/PAh7Go3tQh— HeartFoundationSA (@SAHeartStroke) March 20, 2017
In South Africa, the prevalence of high blood pressure ranges from 30 per cent to as high as 80 per cent in adults over the age of 50 years. The country is ahead of the pack with ground-breaking legislation to limit the salt content of certain foods. June 2016 marked the implementation of these regulations that have reduced salt in commonly consumed foods such as breads, breakfast cereals and processed meats. So far, legislation has been hugely successful with most manufacturers complying, and some products have reduced salt content by 30 to 40 per cent.
“Salt intake is not easy to measure and is hidden in almost everything we eat, even sweet foods.”
“When adding extra salt in cooking or at the table, all the pinches, shakes and grinds of salt add more salt than we actually need. One take-out meal can triple our salt limit for one day. Even something as simple as a cheese and ham sandwich can provide 2.5 grams of salt, already half the daily limit” said Gabriel Eksteen, Dietitian and Exercise Physiologist at the Foundation.
The Heart and Stroke Foundation SA launched an online salt calculator in 2015 in partnership with Unilever South Africa. This is the easiest way to see how much salt you eat, and which are the main salty culprits in your diet. The calculator has been carefully updated to improve accuracy and to reflect changes after salt legislation. Test your salt intake at www.saltcalculator.co.za.
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