‘One pinch at a time’: ICMR flags high salt intake in India as major health danger; Urban consumption nearly double WHO limit | India News

NEW DELHI: The Indian Council of Medical Research’s National Institute of Epidemiology (ICMR-NIE) has launched a new initiative aimed at lowering India’s salt consumption, after analysis revealed that common day by day intake in each city and rural areas exceeds the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) beneficial limit of 5 grams per day.The common salt intake in city India stands at 9.2 grams per day, whereas rural India averages 5.6 grams, each nicely above the worldwide health commonplace. “Excess sodium intake significantly increases the risk of hypertension, stroke, heart disease, and kidney disorders, making salt reduction a national priority,” mentioned Dr Sharan Murali, Principal Investigator of the research at ICMR-NIE.To deal with the problem, ICMR-NIE has rolled out a three-year intervention undertaking in Punjab and Telangana. The initiative goals to evaluate whether or not structured salt discount counselling, delivered by health staff at Health and Wellness Centres, can assist cut back blood stress and sodium consumption in people with hypertension.Currently in its first 12 months, the undertaking is specializing in baseline assessments. Dr Murali harassed the significance of co-creating the counselling materials with neighborhood health staff: “It’s not just about delivering health education—it’s about listening, understanding, and building together.”The research additionally discovered that low-sodium salt substitutes—the place sodium chloride is partially changed with potassium or magnesium—can decrease blood stress by 7/4 mmHg on common. However, a market survey in Chennai confirmed that low-sodium salt was out there in simply 28% of stores and was priced at greater than double the price of common salt, indicating each consciousness and entry gaps.To construct momentum, ICMR-NIE has launched the #PinchForAChange marketing campaign on Twitter and LinkedIn, aiming to lift public consciousness utilizing infographics and easy messages.“This is not just about reducing salt,” mentioned Dr Murali. “It’s about restoring balance in our diets, our systems, and our hearts—one pinch at a time.”