Use of low-sodium salt can reduce blood pressure and mortality rates

Using low-sodium salt instead of regular salt can bring significant improvements to health and provide protection against high blood pressure. According to a new research report published in 'Nature Health', if people worldwide adopt low-sodium salt, approximately 30 lakh deaths can be prevented every year and 1.01 crore new cases of chronic heart and kidney-related diseases can be averted.

This research, conducted by the George Institute for Global Health, observed the benefits of using low-sodium salt instead of regular salt across 193 countries. The findings of this research show that people whose diets included low-sodium salt were helped in controlling high blood pressure.

In the context of India, this research is very significant. It is estimated that if this change is made in India as well, approximately 4 lakh deaths can be reduced every year. The average daily consumption of salt in India is 9.01 grams, which is almost double the 5 gram limit suggested by the World Health Organization (WHO). This is one of the main causes of high blood pressure in India.

According to a 2023 study by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR)-INDIAB, 315 million people in India, i.e., 35.5% of the total population, suffer from hypertension. In 2025, the World Health Organization has advised the use of low-sodium salt containing potassium chloride instead of regular salt.

Fael Bruce Nile, a senior professor at the George Institute, stated that excessive sodium levels in the body and a lack of sufficient potassium are considered the main causes of high blood pressure. He further added that modifying salt intake can help control hypertension, stroke, heart attack, and kidney diseases, which can help reduce deaths caused by these illnesses.

Additionally, regarding other health-related matters, it has also been found that sudden terrifying dreams while sleeping at night cause a person to wake up. Sometimes dreams are so terrifying that the body sweats profusely, due to which it may feel as though blood pressure has increased.

This research makes it clear how much great benefit can be provided to health by making a small change in diet. By modifying salt, it is possible to prevent more than 15 lakh new cases related to heart and kidney.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has recommended the use of low-sodium salt containing potassium chloride for the general population.