Cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of death worldwide, with 18 million deaths per year worldwide. Hypertension is the main cause of these deaths, excessive salt consumption is the main cause of this pandemic of hypertension in populations.
The WHO recalls in this regard that excessive consumption of salt (sodium) is responsible for 2 million deaths/year and that an international program has been set up to reduce sodium in the diet with a target of 2 000 mg sodium/day/adult person. It is worth remembering that in Brazil we consume 5,000 mg of sodium/day/person, more than double the recommended amount.
In April 2023, the WHO proposed recommendations aimed at replacing common salt with salt reduced in sodium for discretionary use (salt used at home for cooking) with the aim of reducing blood pressure.
These recommendations are based on a study by the Diet and Health Subgroup of the Nutrition Guidance Expert Advisory Group (NUGAG), bringing together data from 25 studies involving 35,000 participants over a period of 3 to 6 months. years. The results support the benefits of reduced sodium salt, suggesting that, compared to regular salt, it reduces blood pressure, non-fatal cardiovascular events and cardiovascular mortality in adults.
The WHO should therefore publish a guideline recommending the use of reduced sodium salt on a discretionary basis, so that populations can cook at home, but also as a tool allowing States to achieve public health objectives in terms of reduction sodium. The recommendation includes a warning for people on a low-potassium diet, especially patients with kidney failure, who should use low-sodium salt only under medical supervision.
Concerning potassium, the WHO had already highlighted in 2013 the deficiency of this mineral in the diet, suggesting an increase in consumption and setting a reference value of 3,500 mg potassium/day/adult person. Salt reduced in sodium which is naturally enriched in potassium, therefore also helps to meet this need in the diet.
Finally, the WHO report indicates that despite all its advantages, in practice there are obstacles to generalizing the use of reduced sodium salt. The lack of commercial availability of the product and the alteration of taste it brings which can inconvenience users. As such, Nutrionix finally provides a definitive solution to this sensory problem with its reduced sodium salts (Ksalt and Vivasal) formulated to completely preserve the taste of foods with an intact, intense and pure salty flavor, similar to cooking salt which fully satisfies the taste buds. consumers and guarantees their long-term adherence to a low-sodium diet on a daily basis.
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