BHF comment
Brits eat the equivalent of 22 packets of crisps a day in salt
Brits are eating the same amount of salt each week as are in 155 packets of crisps, our new analysis reveals. We're calling for urgent Government action to reduce the amount of salt in our food.
Working-age adults in England eat an average of 8.4g of salt per day - 40 per cent more than the Government’s recommended maximum of 6g.
The difference between the amount of salt Brits are eating per day on average compared to the UK national guideline is the equivalent of six packets of ready-salted crisps.
Eating too much salt can lead to high blood pressure, which is linked to half of all heart attacks and strokes.
Research suggests that reducing the UK's average daily salt intake to within World Health Organization (WHO) recommended limits by 2030 could prevent up to 135,000 new cases of coronary heart disease over 14 years.
Salt contains sodium, which plays a role in regulating fluid balance in the body.
When we eat too much salt, extra water is drawn into the bloodstream, increasing blood volume and raising blood pressure. Over time, this puts strain on the heart and blood vessels, increasing the risk of heart attack and stroke, heart failure and vascular dementia.
An estimated 30 per cent of UK adults have high blood pressure, but it’s thought as many as 5 million people do not know they have it. Lowering salt intake is one of the simplest and most effective ways to reduce this risk.
Hidden salt
Despite these dangers, a new poll we commissioned alongside YouGov of over 2,000 adults revealed that over half (56%) of Brits are not confident estimating their daily salt intake. Awareness of the UK national maximum guideline of 6g is low, with only 16 per cent correctly identifying the exact amount.
A fifth (20%) thought it was more than 6g, a third (32%) said they didn’t know, and another third (32%) thought the maximum guideline was 5g.
Dell Stanford, our Senior Dietitian, said: “Most of the salt we eat is hidden in the food we buy such as bread, cereals, pre-made sauces and ready meals, so it’s often hard to know exactly how much salt we’re consuming.
"This is bad news for our heart health, as eating too much salt significantly increases the risk of high blood pressure, a major cause of heart attacks, strokes, and other serious diseases.
“The Government must step in to make the healthy choice much easier for families by giving manufacturers an incentive to take out excessive amounts of salt from our food.”
Reducing salt intake across the population would deliver significant health benefits and save lives.
The charity is therefore urging the UK Government to cast a spotlight on salt and take decisive action to make everyday food healthier.
We're calling on the Government to ensure its upcoming Healthy Food Standard – an initiative aimed at reducing obesity, includes mandatory targets that incentivise all major food companies to reduce salt levels in their products.
This, they hope, will be a huge step towards helping the UK get a handle on salt and improve nationwide health.