Too much salt kills 1.9 million each year, says WHO—here's what you should use instead

The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that 1.9 million deaths each year are caused by excessive salt consumption. Despite recommendations to limit sodium to 2g per day, most people consume around 4.3g, more than double the limit. This has led to widespread health problems, including high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, and kidney disease.

The WHO recently released new guidelines recommending people switch from regular salt to alternatives containing less sodium. But what are these salt alternatives, and why should you consider making the switch?

Potassium-enriched salt: A healthier alternative
A better alternative to regular salt is potassium-enriched salt, which replaces some of the sodium chloride with potassium chloride. This switch offers two key benefits:

It helps lower sodium intake, reducing the risk of high blood pressure.

It increases potassium intake, supporting overall cardiovascular health.

Since many people consume too much sodium and not enough potassium, potassium-enriched salt can lower the risks of heart disease, stroke, and even premature death.

Why potassium-enriched salt is a good choice

• Similar taste: Most people don't notice a significant difference in flavour compared to regular salt.
• Easy to use: It can replace regular salt in a 1:1 ratio for cooking and seasoning.
• Proven adherence: Over 90% of users continued using it after five years in studies.

Challenges and considerations
While potassium-enriched salt offers benefits, there are a few challenges:

• Not for everyone: People with kidney disease should avoid excess potassium.
• Cost: It's currently more expensive than regular salt.
• Availability: It’s mostly sold as a speciality product, and not widely available everywhere.
• Another key issue is that most sodium intake comes from processed foods, not from salt added during cooking. To make real progress, food manufacturers need to adopt lower-sodium alternatives.

How to find a healthier salt alternative
Look for labels like:

• Low-sodium salt (Click here to buy it)
• Potassium salt (Add to cart)
• Heart salt
• Mineral salt
• Sodium-reduced salt

For the best results, also focus on reducing processed foods and eating more fresh fruits and vegetables.