Prof. Ali Pate, the Minister overseeing Health and Social Welfare, has issued a warning to Nigerians about the health risks associated with excessive consumption of salt and sodium, including hypertension and other cardiovascular diseases.
On Tuesday, during a press conference in Abuja marking the 2024 Salt Awareness Week themed “It’s Time to Shine the Spotlight on Salt,” Pate, represented by the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Ms Daju Kachollom, announced the Federal Government’s plans to heighten public awareness about the perils of high salt intake.
The minister highlighted that no less than 10 percent of deaths from cardiovascular diseases in Nigeria are linked to the burden of excessive sodium consumption.
He pointed out that the average daily intake of dietary sodium among Nigerian adults varies between 2.3 to 10 grams per day, and the intake of dietary salt ranges from 5.8 to 25 grams per day. These figures significantly exceed the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) recommended daily intake of 2 grams of sodium and 5 grams of salt.
Pate stressed the importance of reducing sodium intake for blood pressure control, which would aid in preventing hypertension and reducing the risk of cardiovascular diseases.
He described salt as a hidden enemy in people’s diets, contributing to the prevalence of cardiovascular diseases.
“Nigeria is not exempt from the global epidemic of hypertension and heart diseases. The choices we make at our dining tables, the ingredients we add to our meals, and the snacks we consume during leisure time all contribute to the silent increase in health risks associated with high salt intake,” he said.
Referring to a WHO report, Pate noted that approximately 17.9 million lives were lost due to the far-reaching impact of high salt intake on health, leading to high blood pressure, heart attacks, and strokes.
He concluded by stating that the implementation of sodium reduction strategies could result in significant healthcare savings and prevent expensive medical treatments for diseases caused by high sodium intake.