Eat less salt, avoid heart disease

Experts have advised not to take more than five grams of salt a day to avoid high blood pressure and heart diseases, which are major factors of deaths worldwide.

Average intake of salt in Bangladesh is 10-12 grams, said Professor Sohel Reza Choudhury of National Heart Foundation Hospital & Research Institute.

The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends intake of five grams of salt a day, said Prof Reza, who is the head of the heart foundation's epidemiology and research department.

Hypertension or high blood pressure prevalence in Bangladesh is over 26 percent, while 17 percent of 8.86 lakh deaths here are caused by cardiovascular diseases, according to the World Health Organization.

Six grams of salt a day can significantly reduce the risks of hypertension, cardiovascular diseases, stomach cancer and osteoporosis, said Prof Reza at a seminar in Dhaka today.

Professor Kamrul Hassan Khan, Vice Chancellor of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University speaking at the seminar. Photo: Porimol Palma