Not a Pinch of Salt

Much is said about sugar, but hardly anything about salt. India faces a silent killer and the salt epidemic must be quickly reversed

- SHUTAPA PAUL

It will be an understatement to say that Indians are becoming health conscious. The health trend is a much-needed reset for a nation that thrives on fried breads for breakfast, relishes its spicy curries, and considers desserts as a part of its staple. Even when diets and food charts are considered, papads, pickles, and salads that often contain high salt, don't raise an alarm. Over generations, our daily eating habits have moved farther away from light and nutritious to heavy and oily. Therefore, a growing consciousness of what we put into our bodies, is indeed a welcome change.

While we have long deliberated the increasing number of Indians afflicted with diabetes, this week drew attention to another silent killer—salt. Indians consume double the amount of the salt recommended by the World Health Organisation (WHO). An average Indian gobbles up between 8 gm to 11 gms of salt every day compared to the acceptable level of less than 5 gms. This quantum of sodium intake comes as no surprise. From our paranthas to our dals and sabzis, from chaats and snacks to packaged foods that flood retail shelves—we love our salt! And while the health food market has gone big on zero sugar, 'low or no salt' has yet to catch up.