Too much salt linked to NCD deaths

Processed and ultra-processed foods, including packaged snacks and processed meats, are among the main contributors to excessive salt consumption in Bangladesh, experts said at a public awareness seminar on Wednesday.

The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that high salt intake causes nearly 1.7 million deaths globally each year. In Bangladesh, diets high in sodium are linked to around 24,000 deaths annually.

The seminar was held to mark Salt Awareness Week 2026, observed worldwide from May 11 to 17 under the slogan, “Let’s reduce salt in our food together.” The event was jointly organised by the Bangladesh Food Safety Authority (BFSA) and the National Heart Foundation of Bangladesh (NHFB) at the BFSA conference room.

BFSA Chairman Md Anwarul Islam Sarkar, in his role as Additional Secretary, chaired the event, while Faruk Ahmed, Director General of the Directorate of National Consumer Rights Protection, attended as chief guest. Prof Dr Mohammad Shoaib, a BFSA member, also addressed the audience.

Prof Shoaib emphasised that while salt is essential for the body, many health conditions caused by excessive intake can be prevented through simple dietary changes.

He warned that high sodium intake raises blood pressure and significantly increases the risk of hypertension, heart disease, stroke, heart failure, kidney disease, vascular dementia, osteoporosis, stomach cancer, and other non-communicable diseases (NCDs).

“Excessive salt consumption can also cause fluid retention, swelling, reduced joint flexibility, a heavy feeling in the body, and unhealthy weight gain,” he added. He noted that regular consumption of salty foods puts additional strain on the heart, brain, kidneys, and blood vessels, increasing long-term health risks.

Citing the 2023 Global Burden of Disease Study by the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME), Prof Shoaib said around 11 million deaths worldwide in 2023 were linked to high blood pressure, including 1.67 million directly associated with high-sodium diets.

“Excessive salt intake is now one of the leading preventable dietary risk factors driving the global epidemic of non-communicable diseases,” he said, noting that NCDs are the leading cause of death in Bangladesh, accounting for nearly 570,263 fatalities each year — around 71 percent of total deaths. Of these, roughly 51 percent are premature, with heart disease alone responsible for 34 percent of fatalities.

The recommended daily salt intake for an adult is less than five grams, yet average consumption in Bangladesh exceeds nine grams, Prof Shoaib added. He suggested using natural spices such as garlic, onion, and ginger to enhance flavour instead of adding extra salt.

NHFB researcher Ahmed Khairul Abrar highlighted that many young people believe they do not need to reduce salt intake if they currently have no health complications. “However, reducing salt consumption is important at every stage of life,” he said.

WHO Bangladesh official Dr Samina Israt underlined the global impact of NCDs, which claim 43 million lives each year. “To prevent premature deaths, we must reduce salt consumption,” she said.