Health Minister Urges Nigerians To Reduce Salt Intake For Better Health

Health Minister Urges Nigerians To Reduce Salt Intake For Better Health

Professor Ali Pate, Nigeria’s Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, has cautioned against the excessive consumption of salt and sodium, citing their link to hypertension and other cardiovascular ailments. Pate delivered this warning during a news conference in Abuja on Tuesday, marking the 2024 Salt Awareness Week under the theme “It’s Time to Shine the Spotlight on Salt.”

Speaking through the ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Ms. Daju Kachollom, Pate emphasized the Federal Government’s commitment to heightening public awareness regarding the perils of excessive salt consumption. He revealed that a significant percentage of cardiovascular disease-related deaths in Nigeria—around 10 percent—are linked to elevated sodium intake.

Pate highlighted the wide variance in estimates of daily sodium and salt intake among Nigerian adults, ranging from 2.3 to 10 grams and 5.8 to 25 grams, respectively, significantly surpassing the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) recommended daily intake of 2 grams of sodium and 5 grams of salt. He stressed the importance of reducing sodium intake to regulate blood pressure, thereby mitigating the risk of hypertension and cardiovascular diseases.

Describing salt as a concealed threat in diets, Pate underscored its contribution to the rising incidence of cardiovascular diseases in Nigeria. He urged vigilance regarding dietary choices, emphasizing that habits at the dining table and during leisure moments significantly impact health risks associated with high salt intake.

Citing a WHO report, Pate highlighted the substantial toll of 17.9 million lives claimed annually due to salt-related health complications such as high blood pressure, heart attacks, and strokes. He advocated for the implementation of sodium reduction strategies, not only to yield significant healthcare savings but also to avert the need for costly medical interventions for diseases stemming from excessive sodium intake

For more information join our WhatsApp group by clicking the link here: WhatsApp Group Invite