A seemingly small daily habit that many people have is unfortunately adding up to a major health risk.
A SEEMINGLY small daily habit that many people have is unfortunately adding up to a major health risk.
Currently, South African’s average salt consumption is 7 to 8 grams per day — well above the recommended limit of 5 grams (about a teaspoon) for adults. What seems like a minor excess is, over time, quietly driving serious public health consequences.
As a result, high blood pressure is on the rise in sub-Saharan Africa, a chronic condition influenced by high salt intake, leaving many people unaware of the dangers of salt or the impact that uncontrollable high blood pressure may already be having on their health.
“Salt is something most people rarely give a second thought to,” says Denelle Morais, marketing and communications manager at Bestmed Medical Scheme. “But the reality is, excessive salt intake is one of the leading contributors to high blood pressure, largely because people often don’t realise just how much they are consuming.
