By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Accept
Herald Today
  • More
Reading: Nigerians, watch your salt intake
Share
Notification
Donate
  • Local Church News
    Local Church NewsShow More
    Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin talks to EWTN Vatican correspondent Colm Flynn on March 19, 2022.
    Cardinal Parolin Says Nigeria’s Conflict Is ‘Social,’ Not Religious, Prompting Pushback| National Catholic Register
    10 hours ago
    Some black lives do not matter: Black Christians slaughtered in Nigeria, no one cares
    Some black lives do not matter: Black Christians slaughtered in Nigeria, no one cares
    18 hours ago
    Living-Waters-Unlimited-Church
    ‘Church’s silence fuelling national corruption, insecurity’
    1 day ago
    Living-Waters-Unlimited-Church
    Cleric laments spiritual weakness of Nigerian Church, calls for repentance
    1 day ago
    'Christian genocide' or a crisis of narratives? – DW – 10/20/2025
    ‘Christian genocide’ or a crisis of narratives? – DW – 10/20/2025
    1 day ago
  • World Christian News
    World Christian NewsShow More
    Is being a jerk a good evangelism strategy?
    Is being a jerk a good evangelism strategy?
    12 minutes ago
    Illinois State University teaching assistant arrested
    Illinois State University teaching assistant arrested
    6 hours ago
    Former youth pastor Daniel Mayfield gets 20 years in prison
    Former youth pastor Daniel Mayfield gets 20 years in prison
    6 hours ago
    ASU football player says he's 'diving into my faith completely'
    ASU football player says he’s ‘diving into my faith completely’
    11 hours ago
    Wisconsin seeks to end religious tax exemption after court loss
    Wisconsin seeks to end religious tax exemption after court loss
    11 hours ago
  • Business
    BusinessShow More
  • Health
    HealthShow More
    CHOCOLATE CHIP BANANA BREAD with cottage cheese (healthy recipe!)
    5 days ago
    ONE-PAN BAKED CHICKEN and POTATOES | Healthy + Easy Meal Prep Recipe
    2 weeks ago
    SAY NO! TO HEBREW WOMEN DELIVERY!
    3 weeks ago
    The Tiny Mindset Shift That Changed My Health (& Weight!)
    3 weeks ago
    COTTAGE CHEESE FRITTATA with Veggies (Healthy Breakfast Idea!)
    3 weeks ago
  • Technology
    TechnologyShow More
    Nigeria, Denmark sign MoU to foster innovation
    Nigeria, Denmark sign MoU to foster innovation
    31 minutes ago
    PTI Calls for Inauguration of Africa Energy Bank
    PTI Calls for Inauguration of Africa Energy Bank
    2 hours ago
    Environment Minister Expresses Optimism On Solutions To Climate
    Nigeria to pioneer plastic-to-diesel technology at ground breaking event
    2 hours ago
    Amazon's smart glasses with AI will help its drivers deliver packages faster
    Amazon’s smart glasses with AI will help its drivers deliver packages faster
    3 hours ago
    Prof-Ogunsola
    ‘Nigeria must embrace digital literacy for AI-driven economy’
    6 hours ago
  • Features
    • Church Events
    • Gospel Music
    • Impact Word
    • Sermons
    FeaturesShow More
    Rev. Tony Ogugu: Exemplifying Leadership Through Service and Impact
    1 week ago
    Prophesy Is Fulfilling
    7 months ago
    PFN DELTA STATE INAUGURATES NEW EXECUTIVES
    1 year ago
    Religious Shift in Iran: Mass Mosque Closures as Iranians Turn to Christianity
    1 year ago
    PFN SECRETARIAT BUILDING COMPLETED AFTER 30 YEARS – HERALDTODAY
    1 year ago
Reading: Nigerians, watch your salt intake
Share
Herald TodayHerald Today
Font ResizerAa
Search
  • Business
  • Features
    • Church Events
    • Gospel Music
    • Impact Word
    • Sermons
  • Health
  • Local Church News
  • Technology
  • World Christian News
  • Quick Access
    • About
    • Privacy Policy
Have an existing account? Sign In
Follow US
  • Business
  • Features
  • Health
  • Local Church News
  • Technology
  • World Christian News
  • Quick Access
© 2024 | Herald Today
Herald Today > Blog > Health > Nigerians, watch your salt intake
Health

Nigerians, watch your salt intake

heraldtoday
Last updated: 2024/05/26 at 4:59 AM
heraldtoday 1 year ago
Share
Nigerians, watch your salt intake
SHARE


THE recent warning by the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Ali Pate, on the chronic health dangers associated with the high consumption of salt in the food consumed by citizens is apt and germane.Pate hadcautioned Nigerians against the excess intake of salt and sodium, saying it could cause hypertension and other chronic heart diseases.

At an engagement in Abuja to commemorate the 2024 Salt Awareness Week, with the theme, “It’s Time to Shine the Spotlight on Salt,” the minister noted that not less than 10 per cent of cardiovascular disease deaths are attributed to the burden of excess sodium consumption in Nigeria. This is a high rate and a steep burden to pay.

There are varying estimates of the average daily intake of dietary sodium among Nigerian adults, ranging from 2.3 to 10 grammes per day; the intake of dietary salt ranges from 5.8 to 25 grammes per day.

The figure is significantly higher than the World Health Organisation recommendations of a daily intake of 2.0 grammes of sodium and 5.0 grammes of salt. This is just too high and an invitation to serious health issues.

It is true that salt – or sodium chloride – is vital for several physiological functions. It helps maintain fluid balance, supports nerve function, and plays a role in muscle contractions. The WHO recommends a daily intake of less than 5.0 grammes (about one teaspoon) of salt for adults.

Unfortunately, many Nigerians consume far more than this recommended amount, leading to numerous health complications.

Excessive salt consumption is linked to a variety of health issues, including hypertension (high blood pressure), cardiovascular diseases, kidney damage, osteoporosis, and stomach cancer.

Several experts note that excessive salt can cause the body to retain water, leading to swelling in the hands, feet, and ankles, a condition which is known as oedema. While often temporary, chronic fluid retention can be uncomfortable and a sign of underlying health issues.

In Nigeria, traditional diets are often high in salt due to the use of bouillon cubes, dried fish, and other salty condiments. Additionally, the increasing consumption of processed foods, typically high in sodium, exacerbates the problem. Many Nigerians are unaware of the amount of salt they consume daily, as it is hidden in various food items.

A study published in the Journal of Hypertension found that the average daily salt-intake in Nigeria far exceeds the WHO recommendation. This puts a significant portion of the population at risk of the aforementioned health issues. This alarming trend highlights the need for public health initiatives focused on reducing salt consumption.

The National Institutes for Health, an American agency, estimates the prevalence of hypertension among Nigerians at 28.9 per cent. It is higher for the menfolk at 29.5 per cent and lower for the womenfolk at 25.0 per cent.

In contemporary times, Nigerians now eat more outside of their homes. To make these foods tasty and spicy, vendors addsalt and seasoning. This constitutes a danger to the health of the public.

There are over 700 million cases of untreated hypertension in the world, says the WHO. But it is good news for Switzerland with the lowest prevalence of 17 per cent among women and Eritrea (22 per cent) among men globally.

Addressing the health risks associated with excessive salt intake requires a multifaceted approach involving public education, policy changes, and individual action.

The tiers of government and health organisations should launch comprehensive public education campaigns to raise awareness about the dangers of excessive salt intake. These campaigns should provide practical advice on reducing salt consumption, such as reading food labels, choosing fresh over processed foods, and using herbs and spices as alternatives to salt.

Policymakers can play a crucial role by implementing regulations that limit the amount of salt in processed foods. Mandatory labelling of sodium content on food products can help consumers make informed choices. Additionally, encouraging food manufacturers to reformulate products with lower salt content can have a significant impact.

Nutritionists and healthcare providers should promote healthy eating habits by advising patients on ways to reduce salt intake. This includes recommending dietary changes such as incorporating more fruits and vegetables, which are naturally low in sodium and cooking at home to control salt usage.

Community leaders and organisations can help spread the message about the dangers of excessive salt intake. Organising workshops, cooking classes, and health fairs can provide valuable information and practical tips on reducing salt consumption.

Continued monitoring of salt intake levels and health outcomes is essential to evaluate the effectiveness of interventions. Supporting research on the impact of salt reduction in the Nigerian context can provide insights and guide future public health strategies.

The campaign against high salt consumption should start from the primary school level. This way, Nigerians will find it easy to practice a good dietary habit in adulthood.

Faith-based organisations should play their part by teaching their members about the dangers of high sodium consumption.

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, and the Standards Organisation of Nigeria should wake up to this harsh reality. They should be at the forefront of controlling salt in packaged foods. The agencies should monitor the standards at public restaurants. They should ensure there are labels on the salt content of foods and that there is fidelity to what is written on the label.

To the citizens; as we savour the rich flavours of our traditional dishes, let us also prioritise our health by moderating our salt intake. Together, we can create a healthier Nigeria, where the burden of salt-related health issues is significantly reduced, and future generations can thrive.



Source link

Related

You Might Also Like

CHOCOLATE CHIP BANANA BREAD with cottage cheese (healthy recipe!)

ONE-PAN BAKED CHICKEN and POTATOES | Healthy + Easy Meal Prep Recipe

SAY NO! TO HEBREW WOMEN DELIVERY!

The Tiny Mindset Shift That Changed My Health (& Weight!)

COTTAGE CHEESE FRITTATA with Veggies (Healthy Breakfast Idea!)

heraldtoday May 26, 2024 May 26, 2024
Share This Article
Facebook Twitter Email Print
Previous Article GOD’S END-TIME AGENDA – PART ONE (THE RISE OF WITNESSES) II CAMBRIDGE ENCOUNTER II APST. SELMAN
Next Article Firm Pledges Support To Nigeria’s Tech Sector Firm Pledges Support To Nigeria’s Tech Sector
Leave a comment

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Follow US

Find US on Social Medias
Facebook Twitter Youtube Instagram

Weekly Newsletter

Subscribe to our newsletter to get our newest articles instantly!

Popular News
IMG_0082
Local Church News

Discord, Rebellion, and 124 Years of Crisis

heraldtoday By heraldtoday 4 months ago
BREAKING POINT
Founders, Innovators Put Africa’s Tech Future on Full Display at GITEX Nigeria 2025
The Content of The Apostles’ Doctrine – (Apst, Arome Osayi) 27th March 2014
Same-sex marriage is against Nigeria’s constitution and beliefs-Rev Dr Eunice Iliya
- Advertisement -
Ad imageAd image

Confirmed

0

Death

0

More Information:Covid-19 Statistics
Home
Herald Today

“Get yourself up on a high mountain, O Zion, bearer of good news, Lift up your voice mightily, O Jerusalem, bearer of good news; Lift it up, do not fear. Say to the cities of Judah, Here is your God!” Isaiah 40:9. 

  • Categories:
  • Sermons
  • World Christian News
  • Technology
  • Uncategorized
  • Local Church News
  • Health
  • Gospel Music
  • Impact Word
  • Church Events
  • weapons of our warfare

Quick Links

  • About
  • Become A Smartphone Manufacturer
  • Blog
  • Business Home 5
  • Contact
  • Customize Interests
  • Disclaimer
  • Home Business
  • My Bookmarks
  • Privacy Policy
  • SHARE YOUR STORY TO THE WORLD FOR FREE

About US

  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy Policy
  • Disclaimer

© 2024 | Herald Today

Herald TodayHerald Today
Follow US
© 2024 | Herald Today
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy Policy
  • Disclaimer
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Lost your password?