Excessive salt consumption is driving a silent but dangerous epidemic in India, significantly raising the risk of hypertension, stroke, heart disease, and kidney disorders, according to experts at the ICMR’s National Institute of Epidemiology (NIE).
While the World Health Organization (WHO) recommends less than 5 grams of salt per person per day, studies show that urban Indians consume around 9.2 grams per day, and even in rural areas it is around 5.6 grams per day – both higher than recommended.
To address this growing public health concern, scientists at NIE have launched a three-year community-led salt reduction study in Punjab and Telangana, with support from the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR).
The initiative aims to evaluate how structured dietary counselling, delivered by health workers at Health and Wellness Centres (HWCs), can help reduce salt intake and blood pressure levels, especially among individuals with hypertension.
“A key focus of the project is promoting low-sodium salt substitutes—blends in which part of the sodium chloride is replaced by potassium or magnesium salts,” said Dr. Sharan Murali, senior scientist at NIE and principal investigator of the study. “Reducing sodium helps lower blood pressure and supports heart health. Switching to low-sodium salt alone can cut blood pressure by an average of 7/4 mmHg—a small change with a big impact.”
Currently in its first year, the project is conducting baseline assessments and developing educational materials in collaboration with community health workers. “We’re co-creating the counselling tools based on real-world insights. It’s not just top-down education—it’s about listening, learning, and building trust,” Dr. Murali emphasized.
However, the transition to low-sodium salt isn’t without challenges. A market survey conducted by NIE across 300 retail outlets in Chennai revealed that low-sodium salt (LSS) is available in only 28% of stores—most commonly in supermarkets (52%) and rarely in small grocery shops (4%). Moreover, LSS is priced at Rs 5.6 per 100g—more than double the cost of regular iodised salt (Rs 2.7 per 100g).
“These numbers highlight a serious supply-demand gap,” Dr. Murali noted. “Low demand reflects low awareness and poor accessibility. Without creating awareness and making these alternatives more affordable, we can’t expect widespread adoption.”
To bridge this gap, NIE has launched a digital awareness initiative, the #PinchForAChange campaign, on Twitter and LinkedIn through ICMR-NIE. Using infographics, facts, and simple messaging, the campaign aims to educate the public about hidden sources of salt, promote low-sodium options, and encourage small yet impactful dietary changes.
“This isn’t just a campaign to cut salt—it’s a movement to restore balance in our diets, healthcare systems, and hearts,” said Dr. Murali. “If successful, our model could be scaled and integrated into public health frameworks across India, improving health literacy and reducing the burden of hypertension-related diseases.”
The study, still in its early stages, offers hope for a more heart-healthy future—one pinch at a time.
Source: The Hindu
