The Lancet is a renowned international weekly general medical journal founded in 1823 by Thomas Wakely. This journal has strived to make science available for everyone so that medicine can serve, and transform society, and positively impact the lives of people.
According to a recently published study in The Lancet, Salt can’t damage anyone’s health unless it is taken twice of the recommended amount (5 gm) by WHO. This study was done to clarify the fear among public health experts who want a salt intake cut in most countries. More than 95,700 people from 18 countries, including India, were analysed for this report.
It has been noticed that systolic (higher reading) blood pressure went up by 2·86 mmHg per 1 gm increase in sodium intake only in people who had more than 5 gm of sodium per day. Five gm of sodium is equivalent to 12.5 gm of salt.
The average salt intake in India is 10.98 gm a day. No doubt, salt consumption in the country far exceeded the WHO-recommended maximum of 5 gm per day.
People who eat packaged foods invariably end up eating unhealthy amounts of salt. In middle-class homes, more than half of the dietary salt consumed comes from hidden sources such as processed foods, be it bread, processed meats (cold cuts and sausages), cheese, biscuits, cookies, cakes and packaged munches like chips, salties and savoury mixes.
The Lancet study found that the harmful effects of sodium – high blood pressure, heart attack, stroke, congestive heart failure, cirrhosis (irreversible liver damage) and chronic kidney!
No doubts, Indians are in great danger due to their eating habits. Well, packaged food majors have committed to the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India to voluntarily cut salt, sugar and fat in products by 2020.
Certainly, this is a step in the right direction! Shunning packaged food is the simplest way to eat salt in recommended amounts.
If you are willing to live a healthy life then you need to understand the importance of homemade food and the salt amount in it!

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