11-17 MARCH WORLD SALT ATTENTION WEEK
As in the world, chronic diseases are increasing with the increase in life expectancy and unhealthy living habits in our country as well. According to the data of the Turkey National Burden of Disease Study, 79% of deaths in our country are due to chronic diseases and non-communicable chronic diseases (Ischemic Heart Diseases, Cerebrovascular Diseases, COPD, Trachea Bronch and Lung Cancers, Hypertensive Heart Diseases) are among the first twenty diseases that cause death at the national level. , Diabetes Mellitus) are in the first place and constitute a significant disease burden.
Ischemic heart diseases are in the first place, hypertensive heart diseases are in the 6th place, and inflammatory heart diseases are in the 10th place among the top ten causes of death in our country. According to the main disease groups, chronic diseases take the first two places in the list of causes of death, and cardiovascular diseases take the first place with 48%. These diseases are closely related to salt consumption.
World Health Organization; It recommends the amount of salt that should be consumed daily as less than 5 grams per day in order to protect against hypertension, heart diseases, kidney diseases, obesity, diabetes and some types of cancer and not to adversely affect bone health.
Reducing salt intake is effective in reducing hypertension, heart disease risk and stroke in adults. There is a direct relationship between the intake of salt consumption and blood pressure. When salt intake is reduced, the risk of stroke and cardiovascular diseases decreases in the long term. When salt consumption is reduced from 10 g to 5 g per day, the rate of stroke decreases by 23% and the rate of cardiovascular diseases by 17%.
While the average daily salt intake for healthy adults is about 5 grams, the average daily salt intake in Turkey is about 15 grams per person. Salt consumption in our country is three times the recommended values.
Tips to reduce salt
- Prefer fresh and salt-free foods
- Do not add salt without tasting food
- Pickled foods with high salt content ( (such as olives, cheese, pickles) and canned foods less
- Consume more fresh vegetables and fruits
- Be sure to read the labels of the ready-to-eat foods you buy and choose less salty ones
- To increase the taste of your food, use spices such as parsley, mint, thyme, dill, fennel, basil, lemon instead of salt
- If you are eating outside the home, choose less salty foods
