Prof. Ali Pate, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, has issued a caution to Nigerians regarding excess salt and sodium intake, highlighting their association with hypertension and other heart diseases. Speaking at a news conference in Abuja to mark the 2024 Salt Awareness Week, themed “It’s Time to Shine the Spotlight on Salt,” Pate emphasized the need for increased public awareness on the dangers of excessive salt consumption.
Represented by the ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Ms Daju Kachollom, Pate underscored that a significant portion of cardiovascular disease deaths in Nigeria, approximately 10 percent, can be attributed to the burden of excess sodium consumption. He revealed varying estimates of daily sodium intake among Nigerian adults, ranging from 2.3 to 10 grams, with dietary salt intake ranging from 5.8 to 25 grams per day. These figures surpass the World Health Organization’s recommendations of 2 grams of sodium and 5 grams of salt daily.
Pate stressed the importance of reducing sodium intake to control blood pressure, thereby mitigating the risk of hypertension and cardiovascular diseases. He cautioned that salt, often a hidden component in diets, significantly contributes to the burden of cardiovascular diseases prevalent in the population. Pate highlighted Nigeria’s susceptibility to the global hypertension and heart disease epidemic, emphasizing the role of dietary choices in escalating health risks associated with high salt intake.
Referring to a WHO report, Pate noted that approximately 17.9 million lives are claimed annually due to salt intake-related complications such as high blood pressure, heart attacks, and strokes. He advocated for the implementation of sodium reduction strategies to yield significant healthcare savings and prevent costly medical treatments for diseases stemming from excessive sodium consumption.
