The Ministry of Health and Prevention (MoHAP) has launched a new campaign urging residents to limit their daily salt intake to less than five grams, roughly equivalent to one teaspoon. This initiative is part of a seven-day health awareness campaign highlighting the dangers of excessive salt consumption and its impact on community health.
According to a Gulf News report, the campaign aims to educate the public on the risks associated with high salt intake, such as high blood pressure, heart disease, circulatory problems, and stroke. By reducing salt in their diets, residents can significantly improve their overall health. MoHAP emphasizes the importance of using healthier alternatives to salt and selecting food products by understanding their salt content labels.
“Excessive sodium consumption is linked to high blood pressure and increases the risk of heart and vascular diseases, stomach cancer, obesity, osteoporosis, and kidney diseases,” the ministry stated in a social media post as part of the initiative.
Studies show that the average salt consumption in the UAE surpasses the recommended limit, mainly due to the high salt content in processed foods, dining out, and cooking practices involving liberal use of salt and salty seasonings.
The World Health Organisation recommends adults limit their salt intake to less than five grams per day to promote better health. MoHAP’s campaign underscores the importance of adhering to this guideline to reduce the prevalence of salt-related health issues in the UAE.