New figures from the Department of Health show the nation's average salt
intake is continuing to decrease slowly - with women consuming
significantly less salt than men.
Survey results reveal the mean estimated salt intake for adults aged 19
to 64 years was 8.1g per day. The findings showed the intake for men was
9.3g per day, while for women it was 6.8g. The Department of Health
calculated the figures by measuring the amount of sodium in the urine of
more than 500 people.
It's recommended that adults consume no more than 6g of salt a day but
in 2000/01 the mean estimated salt intake stood at 9.5g. In 2008, the
figure was 8.6g.
Victoria Taylor, Senior Dietitian at the British Heart Foundation, said:
"It's good news that salt intakes appear to be slowly falling but there
is still some way to go.
"Reformulation of foods has helped to reduce salt in our diets but it's
vital this work continues across the food industry so we can make
further progress towards the national target of no more than 6g of salt a
day.
"What is also interesting is that men are lagging behind when it comes
to salt intake. We know women take advantage of food labels which could
be helping them avoid salty foods, but it looks like men might need more
help in the supermarket. Clear and consistent front-of-pack labels,
with traffic light colours, will help us all to make healthier choices."
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